Staff Report: Appointment of Chief Election and Deputy Chief Election Officers

APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF ELECTION AND DEPUTY CHIEF ELECTION OFFICERS

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT, pursuant to Section 58 (1) of the Local Government Act, that Kenneth Lyle Schaalje be appointed Chief Election Officer for conducting the 2022 general local elections;

AND THAT Marion Bernice Villines and Elena Bertina Bolster be appointed Deputy Chief Election Officers for the 2022 general local elections.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To obtain a resolution of Council for the appointment of the Chief Election and Deputy Chief Election Officers.

TIME CRITICAL:

Local government elections are scheduled to take place on October 15, 2022. Council should appoint a Chief Election Officer (CEO) and Deputy Chief Election Officers as soon as possible for work on/training for elections to commence.

BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:

As outlined in Section 58 of the Local Government Act, Council must appoint the CEO and the Deputy CEO by resolution.

Mr. Ken Schaalje has considerable experience in conduct of elections having been the Chief Election Officer for the Town’s 2011, 2014 and 2018 local government elections, the 2012 assent of electors and the 2017 by-election. As well, Mr. Schaalje was the Deputy CEO for the Town in the 2008 local government election. Also, it is proposed that Marion Villines and Elena Bolster again be appointed into the Deputy CEO positions, both having done this work for the Town in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017 and 2018.

Public feedback on the voting process has been very positive with this team in place.

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:

The 2022 draft budget includes provision from prior years’ surplus for the 2022 local government election.

ALTERNATIVES TO THE RECOMMENDATION:

Council could choose to only appoint one Deputy CEO for the 2022 elections though with an increasing population and two polling places that require skilled support on general voting day, this option is not recommended.

Another alternative could be not to hire any external assistance. However, on top of the rationale described in the above paragraph, the existing staff compliment is unable to solely take on the volume of additional work required for an election. As well, the public perception of a more arm’s length process is important. Accordingly, this option is not recommended.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT, pursuant to Section 58 (1) of the Local Government Act, that Kenneth Lyle Schaalje be appointed Chief Election Officer for conducting the 2022 general local elections;

AND THAT Marion Bernice Villines and Elena Bertina Bolster be appointed Deputy Chief Election Officers for the 2022 general local elections.

SUBMITTED BY:
S. Jones, Director of Corporate Administration

REVIEWED BY:
K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer