The Ministry has confirmed that an outside inquiry will move forward to address the irregularities we identified together. Thank you for your commitment to the integrity of our local process. We will remain attentive as this review begins.
January 8, 2015
Final supporters
November 7, 2014
The Honourable Ted McMeekin MPP
Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister
Province of Ontario
College Park, 17th Flr 777 Bay St Toronto ON
Dear Minister McMeekin;
The Thunder Bay 2014 Municipal Election process is at stake and the integrity of the election has created voter doubt, voter suspicion and alleged illegal interference with the process of an election.
We the undersigned, call on the Minister and Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Province of Ontario to address and provide voters an outside inquiry to answer questions as to the compromised voter process held at the recent municipal elections in the City of Thunder Bay. We do not accept the election results as final nor accurate due to the number of erroneous errors in the municipal election process in pre-election, during the election and post-election.
This complaint is citizen-led by the undersigned residents of the City of Thunder Bay all of whom are qualified voters in the Thunder Bay 2014 municipal election.The integrity factors listed below are a combination of many incidents experienced by a significant number of Thunder Bay voters.
The integrity of the 2014 Thunder Bay municipal election held on October 27, 2014 was compromised due to the following factors:
1.Erroneous Voters list
2.Vote Delays
3.Voter Interference/Intimidation
4.Multiple voting cards
5.Mislabeled ward voting sheets
6.Vote Results Delayed
1.Erroneous Voters List
Voter data combining the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) preliminary list of electors’ voter data and City of Thunder Bay eligible voters list was compromised.Thunder Bay had over 19,000 changes to the voters list; an unusually high number and most likely one of the highest number of changes of any Ontario municipality.
2.Vote Delays
The question itself (You under voted) created additional delays in the voting process resulting in voters leaving the polls without voting.
·The delays caused some people to be turned away.
·Voters did NOT receive complete voter anonymity.
·Voters were NOT assured secrecy of their voting sheet.
3.Voter Interference/Intimidation
Vote interference and intimidation was a comment made by voters who were subjected to a new question asked of voters upon completion of their voting sheet.
A statement was made by the electronic tabulator station officer “You under voted” created confusion and annoyance with the majority of voters.The statement in itself influenced the way a voter may have wanted to vote.
The voter public was not advised in advance of their vote that this question was to be asked nor provided the reason for the question to be asked after they had voted. It was seen as a form of interference and intimidation to the voting process by the majority of those voting in the Thunder Bay 2014 municipal election.
Examples of how the after-vote question such as “you under voted” affected voters is as follows:
·Voters changed their voting sheets to a full card to accommodate the tabulator’s question.
·Some voters left.
·Some voters kept their voting sheets unchanged.
4.Multiple Voting Cards
With approximately 19,000 changes made to the voters list out of the 43,000 that voted it appears the voters list not only had erroneous errors in the number of changes but in the number of long term residents who were subject to election list errors. The error most likely resulted in a number of voters receiving additional voter cards.
In addition to multiple cards, a substantial number of voters who have maintained long term residency for more than 10 years did not receive their voting cards.
5.Mislabeled Voting Sheets
The voting process was compromised by a voting sheet that was inserted in a voting sleeve cover once the vote was completed by the elector. It was then taken over to the voter tabulator manned by a person.The voting sheets were said to have been mislabeled such as ward voting. Where the party voted in Red River riding ward, the voter sheet may have had McIntyre Ward.
There were a number of discretionary sheets that had the wrong ward voting sheets in the ward poll location.
6.Vote Results Delayed
Results unavailable until 3 hours after election. The election officer (city clerk by virtue of his office) stated it was due to City of Thunder Bay server crash and increased traffic to the municipality’s website.Yet those at city hall were able to view the results in real time on the screen in the councilor’s meeting room fed from a computer that provided results from the city server.
We, the undersigned residents of the City of Thunder Bay, all of whom are qualified voters in the Thunder Bay 2014 municipal election ask for a public inquiry into the 2014 Thunder Bay Municipal Elections. The voting public has a right to ensure each election is fair, transparent and that the anonymity and privacy of the Thunder Bay voter is not comprised.
The voters of Thunder Bay disagree with the final election results and feel that the vote was comprised for the reasons provided above. We call on the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to address our voter concerns and the compromised Thunder Bay voting process.
Regards,
Thunder Bay Voters
I, the undersigned support the statement and letter above. I have provided my name below in support of the recommendations and requests made to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Province of Ontario, Canada.
I am a qualified voter in the 2014 Thunder Bay Municipal Election.
cc.Elizabeth Harding
Assistant Deputy Minister
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Province of Ontario Municipal Services Division
16th Flr, 777 Bay St, Toronto ON M5G2E5
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
November 8, 2014
128 Comments
People were turned away from jpoling staions even though they arrived way before closing and many were turned away that did not have their postcard but did have their drivers licence and other IDs
There were numerous major issues with our municipal election, also including holding a special poll at the meeting of "Shift Thunder Bay", a politically active group that lobbies our government on behalf of its members. That in itself should call into question the entire electoral process.
I did not receive a voter card either, although I have lived at my address for almost 5 years. Way too many people didn't receive cards apparently, while others received cards for people that hadn't lived at that address for 20 years! Something definitely not right here.
I was very surprised to see voting stations set up that were not private!! You had a choice of a private screened booth or a table out in the open with no privacy! This definitely should never be allowed!
I was told I under voted and that I didn't properly fill out my card. Then I had to go back and get a lady to fill in some bubbles and initial it. the whole process was horrible. in only 24. but I try to vote in every election. this was the worst by far
And by the way, at the Shelter house, those that are given alcohol aren't given enough to be intoxicated.. They are severe alcoholics and are getting treatment.. They only receive the minimum amount to not be severely sick and hallucinating.. And think about it, if people were turned down because they didn't have ID, then obviously someone from our of town couldn't vote.. Only thing that would make sense.. I had the wrong address on my card and I had to bring in multiple (2) pieces of GOVERNMENT(or the like) mail.. So again, think about it..
This petition is a joke.. So many anonymous comments, so many people that aren't residents of Thubder Bay, and a lot of repeat comments that seem to be copy and pasted.. As well the dates on the comments are changing and it says I've upvoted some comments I didn't and the page won't let me undo it.. This petition is clearly rigged.. There's probably even people using multiple email addresses.. I feel that it's just some people who aren't happy with the results, specifically people who were running or are good friends with those that were.. Just my personal opinion..
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
The Ministry has confirmed that an outside inquiry will move forward to address the irregularities we identified together. Thank you for your commitment to the integrity of our local process. We will remain attentive as this review begins.
January 8, 2015
Final supporters
November 7, 2014
The Honourable Ted McMeekin MPP
Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister
Province of Ontario
College Park, 17th Flr 777 Bay St Toronto ON
Dear Minister McMeekin;
The Thunder Bay 2014 Municipal Election process is at stake and the integrity of the election has created voter doubt, voter suspicion and alleged illegal interference with the process of an election.
We the undersigned, call on the Minister and Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Province of Ontario to address and provide voters an outside inquiry to answer questions as to the compromised voter process held at the recent municipal elections in the City of Thunder Bay. We do not accept the election results as final nor accurate due to the number of erroneous errors in the municipal election process in pre-election, during the election and post-election.
This complaint is citizen-led by the undersigned residents of the City of Thunder Bay all of whom are qualified voters in the Thunder Bay 2014 municipal election.The integrity factors listed below are a combination of many incidents experienced by a significant number of Thunder Bay voters.
The integrity of the 2014 Thunder Bay municipal election held on October 27, 2014 was compromised due to the following factors:
1.Erroneous Voters list
2.Vote Delays
3.Voter Interference/Intimidation
4.Multiple voting cards
5.Mislabeled ward voting sheets
6.Vote Results Delayed
1.Erroneous Voters List
Voter data combining the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) preliminary list of electors’ voter data and City of Thunder Bay eligible voters list was compromised.Thunder Bay had over 19,000 changes to the voters list; an unusually high number and most likely one of the highest number of changes of any Ontario municipality.
2.Vote Delays
The question itself (You under voted) created additional delays in the voting process resulting in voters leaving the polls without voting.
·The delays caused some people to be turned away.
·Voters did NOT receive complete voter anonymity.
·Voters were NOT assured secrecy of their voting sheet.
3.Voter Interference/Intimidation
Vote interference and intimidation was a comment made by voters who were subjected to a new question asked of voters upon completion of their voting sheet.
A statement was made by the electronic tabulator station officer “You under voted” created confusion and annoyance with the majority of voters.The statement in itself influenced the way a voter may have wanted to vote.
The voter public was not advised in advance of their vote that this question was to be asked nor provided the reason for the question to be asked after they had voted. It was seen as a form of interference and intimidation to the voting process by the majority of those voting in the Thunder Bay 2014 municipal election.
Examples of how the after-vote question such as “you under voted” affected voters is as follows:
·Voters changed their voting sheets to a full card to accommodate the tabulator’s question.
·Some voters left.
·Some voters kept their voting sheets unchanged.
4.Multiple Voting Cards
With approximately 19,000 changes made to the voters list out of the 43,000 that voted it appears the voters list not only had erroneous errors in the number of changes but in the number of long term residents who were subject to election list errors. The error most likely resulted in a number of voters receiving additional voter cards.
In addition to multiple cards, a substantial number of voters who have maintained long term residency for more than 10 years did not receive their voting cards.
5.Mislabeled Voting Sheets
The voting process was compromised by a voting sheet that was inserted in a voting sleeve cover once the vote was completed by the elector. It was then taken over to the voter tabulator manned by a person.The voting sheets were said to have been mislabeled such as ward voting. Where the party voted in Red River riding ward, the voter sheet may have had McIntyre Ward.
There were a number of discretionary sheets that had the wrong ward voting sheets in the ward poll location.
6.Vote Results Delayed
Results unavailable until 3 hours after election. The election officer (city clerk by virtue of his office) stated it was due to City of Thunder Bay server crash and increased traffic to the municipality’s website.Yet those at city hall were able to view the results in real time on the screen in the councilor’s meeting room fed from a computer that provided results from the city server.
We, the undersigned residents of the City of Thunder Bay, all of whom are qualified voters in the Thunder Bay 2014 municipal election ask for a public inquiry into the 2014 Thunder Bay Municipal Elections. The voting public has a right to ensure each election is fair, transparent and that the anonymity and privacy of the Thunder Bay voter is not comprised.
The voters of Thunder Bay disagree with the final election results and feel that the vote was comprised for the reasons provided above. We call on the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to address our voter concerns and the compromised Thunder Bay voting process.
Regards,
Thunder Bay Voters
I, the undersigned support the statement and letter above. I have provided my name below in support of the recommendations and requests made to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Province of Ontario, Canada.
I am a qualified voter in the 2014 Thunder Bay Municipal Election.
cc.Elizabeth Harding
Assistant Deputy Minister
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Province of Ontario Municipal Services Division
16th Flr, 777 Bay St, Toronto ON M5G2E5
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
November 8, 2014
128 Comments
We need our entire election process examined. since when can an incombent mayor go to a homeless shelter and have people vote that are not residences of the city,and tax payers turned away at the polls because they "didnt have proper id" we need a whole new election redo
People were turned away from jpoling staions even though they arrived way before closing and many were turned away that did not have their postcard but did have their drivers licence and other IDs
There were numerous major issues with our municipal election, also including holding a special poll at the meeting of "Shift Thunder Bay", a politically active group that lobbies our government on behalf of its members. That in itself should call into question the entire electoral process.
I did not receive a voter card either, although I have lived at my address for almost 5 years. Way too many people didn't receive cards apparently, while others received cards for people that hadn't lived at that address for 20 years! Something definitely not right here.
I was very surprised to see voting stations set up that were not private!! You had a choice of a private screened booth or a table out in the open with no privacy! This definitely should never be allowed!
I was told I under voted and that I didn't properly fill out my card. Then I had to go back and get a lady to fill in some bubbles and initial it. the whole process was horrible. in only 24. but I try to vote in every election. this was the worst by far
And by the way, at the Shelter house, those that are given alcohol aren't given enough to be intoxicated.. They are severe alcoholics and are getting treatment.. They only receive the minimum amount to not be severely sick and hallucinating.. And think about it, if people were turned down because they didn't have ID, then obviously someone from our of town couldn't vote.. Only thing that would make sense.. I had the wrong address on my card and I had to bring in multiple (2) pieces of GOVERNMENT(or the like) mail.. So again, think about it..
This petition is a joke.. So many anonymous comments, so many people that aren't residents of Thubder Bay, and a lot of repeat comments that seem to be copy and pasted.. As well the dates on the comments are changing and it says I've upvoted some comments I didn't and the page won't let me undo it.. This petition is clearly rigged.. There's probably even people using multiple email addresses.. I feel that it's just some people who aren't happy with the results, specifically people who were running or are good friends with those that were.. Just my personal opinion..
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
We need our entire election process examined. since when can an incombent mayor go to a homeless shelter and have people vote that are not residences of the city,and tax payers turned away at the polls because they "didnt have proper id" we need a whole new election redo