An idea to put forward Mandurah as a trial site for electronic voting has been suggested ahead of the 2019 local government election.
Town Ward councillor Peter Rogers has called for Mandurah to be the guinea pig for the idea, stating that casting a ballot online was “the way of the future”.
His proposal came after councillors were asked to review information from the 2017 elections and determine the format of the upcoming one, in a report presented to them at their meeting on January 29.
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He urged his fellow councillors to allow officers to create a report exploring the possibility.
“I think that’s going to be the future,” Mr Rogers said.
“I think the City of Mandurah could show some leadership… by being a trial site.”
All councillors agreed an investigation into the matter would be beneficial, however, Coastal Ward councillor Fred Riebeling made it clear, despite the report’s results, he would likely oppose electronic voting.
“I’ll vote for it but I’m not in favour,” he told the chamber.
“I’ll vote for this but I probably won’t when the recommendation comes back.”
Deputy mayor Caroline Knight also commented on the matter, stating she believed electronic voting was “going to be the future” but that there were “risks as there are benefits”.
Follow Caitlyn Rintoul via Twitter @caitlynrintoul.
