Election reform is on its way in Essex.
On Monday night, council agreed to take a deep dive into a long list of changes to the town's election policies, procedures and by-laws.
Town clerk Robert Auger says several improvements are being proposed including rules related to the use of town resources and election signs, how complaints are handled and the procedure used for proxy voting.
He says the town would like to restore confidence in the election process.
"We did receive a number of complaints during the past election. Regardless whether or not the complaints received are founded or unfounded, we need to try to look at ways to put increased controls in place over and above what the Ministry of Municipal Affairs requires."
Auger says the new policy will help clear up many questions.
"The goal of this new policy is to come with a more enhanced policy, one that's clearer because the current policy, besides being ten years old, was short on specifics, to be honest. So it needs that enhancement."
Essex council meets on July 20, 2020 (Photo courtesy of the Town of Essex)
He says the goal is provide a clearer list of do's and don'ts for candidates.
"We had lots of instances where candidates were asking if this was acceptable, if this was permissible? So when you have those inquiries, that surely does point to the fact that more specifics and more clarity is needed."
Council will debate each section of the policy improvements individually in the fall.
Accusations of improper use of town resources and proxy voting forms were brought forward following the town's last election in 2018 resulting in an OPP investigation involving mayor Larry Snively.
The next municipal election is set for 2022.