Dear Editor:
RE: Guelph/Eramosa voters opt for status quo, Oct. 27.
I read with interest that Corey Woods was humbled with his win in the 2022 election but not impressed with the voter turnout.
I’m not sure this issue would have had any difference on the voter turnout but it certainly answers why it could have happened.
Voter lists have always been populated by the CRA, they ask the question on each tax return. For some reason Guelph/Eramosa Township decided to rely on MPAC to provide the town with the voter list.
Before changing to a MPAC provided electoral register the town should have confirmed the validity and completeness of the register. MPAC has a voter lookup page on their website and advises voters to update it with missing information.
My house only had me listed, my wife was not on the list despite being the house owner. I suggest this is one reason why the turnout was only 485 (in Ward 2).
Steve Whitten,
Guelph/Eramosa
*Editor’s note: Voters’ lists for municipal elections across Ontario are currently prepared from data kept by MPAC (the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation) – and have been for some time.