Election Accessibility

All staff carrying out election duties will be trained to recognize and ensure that persons with disabilities are served in a way that accommodates their needs. 

Election Officials will be provided with accessible customer service training, including the proper use of accessibility tools- both analog and digital- available to assist with the voting process. 

Internet and telephone voting means that travelling to a voting location is unnecessary, but Election Assistance Centres (EAC) will be available throughout the municipality to assist voters. 

You will find designated or reserved parking as close as possible to the EAC entrance. Accessible parking spaces (minimum of two) will be clearly visible and marked. Additional accessible parking spaces will be provided if possible.

Where the EAC has steps to the entrance, ramps or elevators are available. 

In locations where the entrance doors do not have auto-openers, the doors will be propped open safely, or an Election Official will be assigned to operate the door for all voters entering and exiting the EAC who may need assistance. 

Access to the interior of the EAC will be level and easy to navigate, and seating will be made available. Accessible voting booths will be available at each EAC.  

Special voting locations (Nursing homes / Long-term care facilities) 

The following special voting locations have reduced hours, on Voting Day, and are designated for the use of eligible voters who reside at these institutions: 

• White Cliffe Terrace Retirement Residence 
• Clarington Place Retirement Residence  
• Bowmanville Creek Retirement Community 
• Vedanta Living Bowmanville  
• Lakeridge Health Bowmanville (Long-term Care only) 
• Glen Hill Strathaven - Long Term Care  
• Fosterbrooke Long Term Care 

The following voting tools will be available at all EACs: 

• Magnifying sheets. 
• Raised voting booths. 

The online voting system has accessibility features for the visually impaired. 

Voters can be accompanied by a support person or a service animal, such as a guide dog, to all EACs, including voting compartment areas. 

Election Officials at each EAC may assist you in casting your vote. Before entering the voting booth, you can advise the Election Official of your needs and the best way they can assist you. This may include asking the Election Official to actually mark the electronic ballot as you select your candidate(s). All Election Officials have taken an Oath of Secrecy. 

Residents who require information and copies of election documents in an alternate accessible format may contact the Municipal Clerk’s Office. 

If there is a temporary disruption in the delivery of election information or services, a notice will be posted on the main page of this website and, if possible, in the local media. The notice will include the reason for the disruption, anticipated duration, and a description of alternative methods of delivering the information or service. We will make every effort to provide alternative information or service to persons with disabilities. We will continue to update information throughout the service interruption. 

We encourage voters to provide feedback about Clarington’s election services, accessibility measures and interaction with election officials. This feedback may be submitted to the Municipal Clerk at 905-697-4747, votes@clarington.net, in-person at the Municipal Administrative Centre or by mail at:

Municipality of Clarington 
Municipal Clerk's Division 
40 Temperance Street, 
Bowmanville, ON L1C 3A6 

The feedback form is also available at all Election Assistance Centres and on the Election Website. All feedback will be forwarded to the Municipal Clerk's Office for review and follow-up. In addition, staff working in municipal facilities can complete the feedback form and submit it on behalf of an individual if required. 

Alternatively, the form may be printed and provided to the person for manual completion. Each completed form is reviewed by Municipal staff who will respond to the voter directly within three business days, providing a response and corrective measures where possible. 

The feedback process provides election staff with an opportunity to take corrective measures to prevent similar recurrences, address training needs, enhance service delivery and provide alternative methods of providing election services.