Cambridge ward 7 byelection to be held Oct. 5

The ward 7 byelection in Cambridge will be held Oct. 5.

Council approved a report from the city clerk recommending the new date for the byelection, which was supposed to be held back in March but was postponed due to COVID-19.

Advanced polls will be held on Sept. 26, Oct. 2 and Oct. 3. All in-person voting will take place at city hall.

"Although the declared municipal emergency is still in effect staff is of the opinion that, with the gradual reopening of the city, it is possible to conduct a safe and democratic byelection," staff said in a report to council.

It will be held through in-person voting, although the city says proxy and curbside voting will also be an option for people who either can't or do not want to go indoors to vote, staff said.

"In the case of curbside voting, electors will be able to fill out their ballot in their vehicle and drop their ballot in a curbside ballot box," staff said.

People going indoors will need to wear a mask, Plexiglass barriers will be installed around each voting station. People will be able to take home the pens they use to mark the ballot.

Staff said the byelection was expected to cost about $100,000. But that was before the pandemic.

Now, there's up to $25,000 in extra costs for things like signage to keep people physically distant, personal protective equipment for poll workers and voters as well as sending out postcards with voter information.

Nine people are seeking the seat, which was left vacant when councillor Frank Montiero died in October 2019.