Possible Change to Havelock Belmont Methuen's Electoral System
Wednesday January 31, 2024
The Electoral Ward System in the Township of Havelock Belmont Methuen (HBM) is up for discussion.
Township Council has moved forward with public consultations to review whether HBM should continue with the current Ward System or to change to 'At-Large" elections of all Councillors.
Currently, HBM Councillors are elected according to the wards that they represent.
Here is a recap of the most recent election held in 2022:
Mayor Jim Martin (elected) 1,640 votes (74.7%)
Rolf Joss 494 votes (22.5%) Township Council has moved forward with public consultations to review whether HBM should continue with the current Ward System or to change to 'At-Large" elections of all Councillors.
Currently, HBM Councillors are elected according to the wards that they represent.
Here is a recap of the most recent election held in 2022:
Mayor Jim Martin (elected) 1,640 votes (74.7%)
Abstain 60 votes
Total votes 2194
Deputy Mayor Hart Webb Acclaimed
Councillor-At-Large Kathy Clement (elected) 743 votes (33.9%)
Shelley Miles 512 votes (23.3%)
Pascal Hill 454 votes (20.7%)
Ralph Horton 360 votes (16.4%)
Abstain 125 votes
Total votes 2194
Township Ward Councillor Jerry Doherty (elected) 858 votes (46.7%)
Gregory Clements 830 votes (45.1%)
Abstain 151 votes
Total votes 1839
Village Ward Councillor Beverley Flagler (elected) 140 votes (39.4%)
Paul Wood 128 votes (36.1%)
Jonathan Prosser 76 votes (21.4%)
Abstain 11 votes
Total votes 355 2022
A full report on the matter penned by Bob Angione, Township og HBM CAO/Clerk, can be reviewed here. Of particular interest is that the Township will be distributing a survey in the next tax bill and will hold a public meeting on the subject to gauge public sentiment.
At a recent (October 2023) Council meeting, the suggested options were:
(a) Leave ward boundaries unchanged
(b) Change ward boundaries so each ward has the same number of eligible voters
(c) Eliminate ward system completely and allow all Councillors to be elected at-large.
It has been argued that having the most qualified candidates represented in local government is beneficial to all.
With the current ward system, Jack Lakers may vote for Mayor, Deputy Mayor and only two Councillors. Without the ward system, voters would vote for all three Councillors, providing the opportunity for each candidate to earn support from all voters.