A report going before council could bring sweeping changes to the Municipal Election process in Essex.
Accusations of improper use of town resources and proxy voting forms were brought forward following the town's last election in 2018.
The OPP launched an investigation that resulted in Mayor Larry Snively being charged with procuring persons to vote in a municipal election when those persons were not entitled to do so in February of this year.
Ward 4 Councillor Sherry Bondy was one of the loudest voices calling for an investigation and says the results show her concerns were valid.
"You can see there was host of issues on almost every election policy and procedure in the Town of Essex in the 2018 [Municipal] Election," she says.
Bondy tells AM800 News the clerk admits policies fell short.
“ ‘It became apparent during the last election that the policies at times could not be relied upon for clear direction.' The clerk had to use a lot of electoral discretion," adds Bondy.
She says the issue with candidates "handing out proxy forms like Chicklets" is addressed in the report.
“The only way a resident can vote by proxy is by talking to the clerk and working it out that way so candidates will not be able to coordinate proxy votes; it will be the individuals themselves," she says.
The report suggests deposits for election signs that can be forfeited if campaign rules are broken.
By-laws would also be put in place to allow the town to punish those violating election rules as well.
Bondy says each item recommended in the report would be debated for approval individually if the report is received Monday night.
Council begins its livestream at 6 p.m.
— With files from AM800's Rob Hindi