More drop-off boxes for mail-in ballots coming for 2025 municipal election in St. John's, says mayor

Residents across Newfoundland and Labrador are looking at a fall election at the municipal level, and St. John's Mayor Danny Breen says his city is making some tweaks they hope will boost voter turnout. 

Less than a third of eligible voters cast ballots in the last two St. John's elections.

"We would, again, like to get the overall participation — whether it's byelections or general elections — higher," Breen told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show.

A new report suggested cutting down on the number of satellite voting centres — which include in-person and drop-off voting — have mandatory voter pre-registration and make legislative changes to allow for electronic and telephone voting.

Breen says the city is decreasing the number of satellite centres.

"We found that there's less and less people going to the ballot box and more are using other methods," he said.

Having one ballot box or polling station per ward will work, he said, but with Ward 5 being geographically the largest ward, the city still might need additional locations.

But there will be more drop-off boxes for mail-in ballots, Breen said. 

He also confirmed he will be seeking re-election in the fall.

But the city won't use mandatory pre-registration for voters to receive mail-in ballots. The report says it's a high financial cost.

As for electronic and telephone voting, Breen says he'd like to see that in place, but there is a barrier standing in the way.

"We have, in the past, asked the province to amend the legislation to do that. We haven't been successful," he said.

The city will once again ask the province to make that legislative change, but Breen says he's doesn't think it can be adopted for the municipal election scheduled for Oct. 2

"We do want to do it in the future so we're going to continue down that road," he said.

Nova Scotia and Ontario have adopted electronic voting, Breen said, and believes the security exists to allow for the process to take place.

He said electronic voting could also encourage younger people to cast their ballots.

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