Ontario, April 25: As Canada heads toward its 2025 federal election, Elections Canada has made a firm decision—no voting machines, no digital shortcuts. Voters across the country will mark their choices with pencils, and election workers will count those votes by hand, just as they’ve done for generations.
This traditional method might seem outdated in an era dominated by technology, but Elections Canada insists it’s the best option. “Highly efficient, effective, and secure,” is how James Hale, the agency’s media advisor, described the time-tested pencil-and-paper approach. Despite British Columbia’s use of electronic vote tabulators in their 2024 provincial election, the federal body sees no need to follow suit.
Security is at the heart of this decision. In a digital age filled with cyber threats and technical glitches, sticking with paper helps Elections Canada avoid the risks that come with electronic systems. It also ensures every vote can be verified physically, not just digitally. With millions of ballots cast across a massive geography, the agency believes manual counting remains the most reliable option.
Support for the current system comes not just from within Elections Canada, but from years of parliamentary review and approval by various chief electoral officers. While some provinces are experimenting with technology, the federal body remains confident: old-school still works best when democracy is on the line.
