No final decision has been made but it appears that the City of St. John’s will go back to traditional in-person voting for the September municipal election with an option to vote by mail.

The city would normally send out about 70,000 vote-by-mail kits but a review by staff reveals more cons than pros including the accuracy of the voters’ list. The review found that traditional voting results in a more accurate list.

City Clerk Elaine Henley says a mail kit would still be available but instead of being sent automatically, voters would have to register in order to receive one.

If information on the voters’ list is inaccurate, it is not as problematic for staff in an in-person voting system as it is in a vote-by-mail system.

The vote was close—6 to 3—but a couple of councillors made it known that they may change their mind. A final decision will come down at a future council meeting.