Catholic school supporters in Cambridge are ready to cast their vote, but almost a week into the election, many are left wondering why they haven’t received their voter cards in the mail.
Starting Monday, voters were eligible to vote for the rescheduled Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) trustee election.
This comes after the City of Cambridge declared "an emergency under the Elections Act" to temporarily postpone the election for Catholic board trustees after two candidates were left off the ballot.
“Almost a week has gone by. This is what is so frustrating,” said Paul Cabral from Cambridge.
“You can’t start the election the day the ballots are printed because it will take days for them to arrive in the mail.”
According to the City of Cambridge, voter cards were sent out on Friday, Nov.4.
“People are not receiving them, and so many of them don’t even know about the election. It’s sad,” Cabral said.
“This is important to the people who are running. They spend so much time campaigning, and that’s a big concern I have. Also, for me, this time around, I want to know who I’m voting for.”
The City of Cambridge says that those who don't receive a voter letter are encouraged to bring an acceptable piece of Government ID to one of the following locations:
- November 7 to 17: Cambridge City Hall during regular 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. business hours
- November 18: Cambridge City Hall 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- November 12: Cambridge Centre Mall – from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Voters can also cast their ballot online at VOTE until 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18.
Can't make it out to see us today? We can help! Call us at 519-740-4680 ext. 4079 to learn about at-home voting. https://t.co/tQOnV88G1f
— City of Cambridge (@cityofcambridge) November 12, 2022
But without voter cards, Marisa Phillips, trustee candidate for Waterloo Catholic District School Board, says people don’t have the option of voting online.
“In order to vote online, or at the shopping mall, voters will require their PIN which was to be sent out to them on their voting information card,” Phillips said.
“We are already a week in of the election period. Neither myself nor anyone I’ve spoken to has received their voting information card.”
Approximately 1,700 ballots had been cast during the municipal election, before the emergency declaration. Those votes have now been voided.
“I’m shocked that only two days before the election, after thousands of votes have already been cast, the city finally noticed missing trustee candidates on ballots,” Phillips said.
“The news made my heart sink as I thought about my supporters and volunteers who have worked so hard to get me to October 24th. I am incredibly disappointed because my support has been so strong.”
Phillips said she is concerned for all those people who had put their faith in her because they may not realize that their votes did not count and now, may not even know, that they have an opportunity to vote again.
“I’m hearing so much frustration from my constituents and campaign supporters. It’s important that everyone becomes aware of these issues and that Catholic voters in Cambridge get the chance to vote.”
Phillips says she has spoken with many people since Monday, and still, no voter cards have arrived in the mail.
“I received so many phone calls asking where their election cards are. If people don’t receive notification, how will they know that they can vote?” Phillips said.
“You can vote at City Hall during business hours, but what about those people who work 9-5 and can’t make it in during business hours? Voter turnouts are already low as it is, so how will those voices be heard?”
Candice Langdon-Jeffery says she is astonished that one week into the second run of the election, she still hasn’t received her card.
“Speaking to a few other parents, neither has anyone else. I’m left with a lack of faith in the entire electoral system right now. It’s very disappointing,” Langdon-Jeffery said.
“And voting at City Hall is something that doesn’t work for everyone. I work 9-5. Unless the voter information comes in the mail, and I can vote online, my voice won’t be heard.”
Langdon-Jeffery says she’s surprised that mistakes weren’t caught earlier.
“I’m not sure how far that got before being noticed. I have four children, two in the school board, with one in secondary school. I want to make sure that we have a voice for them, that we’ve chosen the people that we want to be the voice for our children at school,” Langdon-Jeffery said.
“There are so many changes happening within the schools right now with curriculum, differing agendas and opposing agendas. I want someone who is going to represent everyone’s voice, who will listen to the opinions of parents, take that at face value and bring it forward.”
Cabral said he questions how many other mistakes are going on within the electoral process.
“I was really excited about the candidates. Then I find out about the mistake. That’s when I became concerned,” Cabral said.
“I have kids who have gone through WCDSB and a daughter who’s 15. She’s the last one. I really want to get a little more involved with what was happening at school. This has become more important to me now, than it has in the past.”
North Dumfries Ward 3 councillor, Alida Wilms, began a petition looking for answers regarding the emergency order.
“I along with a few others, invited candidates from across Waterloo Region to sign this petition, particularly those within Cambridge. We are requesting a third-party investigation into the whole emergency order around the Catholic School Board election,” Wilms said.
“I wanted to do this because I just couldn’t believe that this was happening. Hearing about the fallout and what this would mean for Catholic voters and for the candidates who still have to run, I think it’s a matter that is impacting people across the region. It makes all of us as candidates want to ask questions about the electoral process.”
Wilms says everyone need to know the facts, to restore trust in the process itself.
“Municipal elections are complicated. As a voter, you vote for many different positions. And I’m sure it must be very difficult to run. I commend city clerks for taking it on,” Wilms said.
“This emergency had many implications to voters who were required to vote twice, to the school board itself, and to candidates who had their campaigns suddenly extended. An investigation into the causes and consequences of this emergency would benefit all of us in Waterloo Region, as it will answer important questions about the electoral process. We deeply care about our community and support a fair and transparent electoral system.
The City of Cambridge says voters without access to the internet may contact the City of Cambridge at 519-740-4680 ext. 4079 to learn more about how to qualify for at-home voting.
Also, this Saturday, city staff will be travelling to several locations across the city to provide in-person assistance for any residents who need help to vote online.
The schedule for Saturday includes:
- 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Idea Exchange Queens Square Branch Foyer
- 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Idea Exchange Old Post Office Branch Foyer
- 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Preston Auditorium Foyer
- 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Hespeler Arena Foyer
The city reminds residents that they can still vote with a piece of Government ID if their letter has not arrived in the mail yet.
Cabral still wants to vote online, with his voter card. In the meantime, he says he hopes a mistake like this will never happen again.
“What are they going to do differently? What will they learn from this? How did this happen? In this case, a mistake was made,” Cabral said.
“I don’t think the correction was a good one. With just a week to go, it’s just a plan to fail. It boggles the mind. Cards should have gone out one week, and voting should have started the next week. It’s just that simple.”
Although votes from North Dumfries are counted with Cambridge, their ballots were not affected by this mistake and their votes will be sealed and combined with Cambridge's when the election is completed.
For more information about the election, visit the City of Cambridge website.
