An Orillia resident is hoping to see changes to wording on the voting ballot in the next municipal election.
Peter Weedon voted in Orillia’s municipal election for the first time this fall, and he argues some of the ballot’s wording is misleading.
When voting, Weedon noticed the ballot instructed him to select two candidates for his ward, although voters are free to select up to two candidates — meaning he could select one, two, or zero candidates with his vote.
He clarified this with city staff while voting, but hopes to see the wording changed in the future, as he was initially unsure if voting for a single candidate would be considered a spoiled ballot.
“It doesn't say you can choose up to two, which is really what is intended, and so it is a misdirection in the truest sense,” Weedon told OrilliaMatters. “If you're forced to select a second person who you don't want, because you're accepting the command, ‘Vote for two,’ you're distorting your preference for the candidates and … the second vote is a wasted vote actually. It's misdirection of preference.”
Weedon hopes to change the wording, in part, to make the voting process entirely clear for Canadians voting for the first time.
“We have an influx of new Canadians exercising their franchise, which is the right to vote, and if we're misleading them or misguiding them, I think that's a mistake,” he said.
Weedon said he wrote a letter to city CAO Gayle Jackson during the election about his concern, but has yet to hear back.
“Given the recent municipal elections, I think it's a valid item to be discussed,” he said. “There's basically been no effort to communicate with me, if for nothing else than to say, ‘Thanks very much, got your letter, and we'll be back to you.’
City staff confirmed they have received Weedon’s note, and said a response letter is en route.
The ballots complied with Municipal Elections Act provisions, said communications manager Melissa Gowanlock, who also said it is “too early to speak to changes that may be implemented in 2026.”
“We can confirm that a letter was received by the CAO’s office and a response has been completed and should be received by the resident shortly via letter mail,” Gowanlock said