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Mayor cuts real-time electronic voting system – Winnipeg Free Press

The real-time electronic voting system, once touted as a way to increase transparency in the city hall, has been permanently phased out.

In September 2020, the executive policy committee began using a new electronic voting system that shows the results of each decision on a live video feed of EPC meetings and on city council chamber screens.

However, EPC did not use the system for several months due to technical problems. Mayor Scott Gillingham said it would not be returned.

The Executive Policy Committee began using the electronic voting system in 2020, but due to technical issues, Mayor Scott Gillingham decided to stop using it.  (Files by Mike Deal/Winnipeg Free Press)
The Executive Policy Committee began using the electronic voting system in 2020, but due to technical issues, Mayor Scott Gillingham decided to stop using it. (Files by Mike Deal/Winnipeg Free Press)

“We had several meetings in a row where the system didn't work, and frankly, it was difficult. If I were concerned that we were losing transparency, I would insist on keeping it. (But) I am confident that we will be transparent, members of the public … will know how each councilor and I voted on each issue in the EPC,” Gillingham said.

Former Mayor Brian Bowman was a champion of the electronic voting system, which he argued created a real-time visualization of council members' votes that would help citizens hold elected officials accountable.

However, electronic voting was not extended to City Council meetings after the majority of the council voted against it.

Critics argue that traditional votes, based on giving councilors a yes or no vote, are easier for some citizens than published text results, especially for those who don't use smartphones or computers or don't have them as their first language. not english.