Nov 04, 2009 - 10:38 AM

By Chris Hall

SCUGOG -- Scugog voters will once again get to choose their next slate of civic leaders using the vote-by-mail method when the 2010 municipal election is held.

At Monday's municipal committees meeting, councillors agreed to utilize the vote-by-mail system once again, citing decent voter turnout, convenience and cost-effectiveness.

In the November 2006 election, 8,175 out of 18,544 eligible voters cast a ballot, for about a 44.1-per cent turnout. That was roughly the same turnout at the 2003 election, while about 52 per cent of eligible voters participated in 2000 -- the first year Scugog used the vote-by-mail system.

The 2010 election had been slated for Nov. 8, but last week new legislation was introduced at Queen's Park which could see the vote pushed back by two weeks, to Oct. 25.

During discussions on the next election, Scugog's councillors had little to say about the voting method, but raised concerns regarding the juggling of election dates and how much time potential candidates have to shine the spotlight on themselves.

Among the concerns raised was when the ballots will make their way into the mail and into the hands of voters. One of the drawbacks, in the minds of candidates, is that voters cast their ballots as soon as they receive their election packages, sometimes weeks in advance of the actual election day.

In turn, that has the potential to leave candidates stumping for votes at homes that have already sent in their ballots.

However, Kim Coates, Scugog's clerk, reminded councillors that there was a "much longer period of time" in 2006 between when nominations closed and the ballots were sent out in the mail.

"You had ample time to get out there and campaign before ballots went into the mail," she said.

Scugog Mayor Marilyn Pearce also questioned whether the short campaigning time "might minimize (non-incumbent's stumping) time", but Ms. Coates stressed that candidates can sign up in January and, therefore, have almost 10 months to promote themselves.

According to a staff report, it's estimated that the 2010 election will cost $65,405.