Election Principles

The Town of Essex is dedicated to a free and fair municipal election for all candidates and voters.

That means:

The election should accessible to the voters.
The integrity of the process should be maintained throughout the election.
The election should be fair and non-biased.
There is to be certainty that the results of the election reflect the votes cast.
Voters and candidates should be treated fairly and consistently.
The secrecy and confidentiality of the individual votes is paramount.

Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee

The Municipal Elections Act requires Council to establish an Election Compliance Audit Committee. The committee performs duties related to the compliance audit application process. Find out more on the Election Compliance Audit Committee (link) page.

Policies

Prohibition on the Use of Corporate Resources during Elections

Candidate Violations

Pursuant to the Town’s policy entitled “Prohibition on the Use of Corporate Resources During Elections” the use of municipal corporate resources for election or campaign purposes including the town logo, is prohibited. Corporate Resources under the Policy is defined as including any and all facilities, infrastructure, assets, equipment, supplies, services, staff or any other resource of any other kind whatsoever that belongs to, is used by or is funded or otherwise associated with the Corporation of the Town of Essex.

Confirmed violations during the 2022 Municipal Election of this or other election policies by the candidates or third party advertisers are posted below for public information:

Candidate	Violation	Approximate Date of Violation	Details
Meloche, Richard	Policy entitled “Prohibition on the Use of Corporate Resources During Elections”	August 24	Promotion of town sponsored event and use of Essex hashtags on social media campaign page Candidate asked to immediately remove related social media posts
Bondy, Sherry	Policy entitled “Prohibition on the Use of Corporate Resources During Elections”	August 24	Candidate had direct link from deemed campaign website to the Town website together with numerous links to other town documents and pictures Candidate asked to immediately remove all relevant links to Town website and/or remove all election references in website.
Meloche, Richard	Policy entitled “Prohibition on the Use of Corporate Resources During Elections”	August 30	Promotion of town sponsored event stating they were acting on behalf of the Town of Essex on social media campaign page Candidate asked to immediately remove related social media posts
Meloche, Richard	Policy entitled “Prohibition on the Use of Corporate Resources During Elections”	August 30	Candidate used a picture that was taken in Town Hall for their campaign social media account. Candidate asked to immediately remove related social media posts
Bondy, Sherry	Policy entitled “Prohibition on the Use of Corporate Resources During Elections”	September 9	Candidate distributed campaign materials during the events of the Harrow Fair. As previously stated and advised campaigning and campaign activities/materials were noted to be prohibited during the Harrow Fair. Candidate asked to immediately cease using these materials on town property and or Town events.
Meloche, Richard	Policy entitled “Prohibition on the Use of Corporate Resources During Elections”	September 10	Candidate used a picture that was taken in Town Hall for their campaign social media profile picture. Candidate asked to immediately remove and cease using that profile picture.
Bondy, Sherry	Policy entitled “Prohibition on the Use of Corporate Resources During Elections”	September 19	Candidate had campaign material being displayed/distributed at the Harrow Library. Candidate asked to immediately cease using these materials on town property and to remove the material from the Harrow Library immediately.
Bondy, Sherry	Policy entitled “Prohibition on the Use of Corporate Resources During Elections”	October 19	Candidate used pictures of town facilities in conjunction with election promotion on social media. Candidate asked to immediately remove and cease using such content.
Meloche, Richard	Policy entitled “Prohibition on the Use of Corporate Resources During Elections”	October 19	Candidate used pictures of town facilities in conjunction with election promotion on social media. Candidate asked to immediately remove and cease using such content.

Town of Essex
33 Talbot Street South
Essex, Ontario N8M 1A8
Phone: 519-776-7336
Fax: 519-776-8811
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