Written By David Gomez
SOUTHWEST MIDDLESEX - As Southwest Middlesex prepares for the 2026 municipal election, council has approved updates aimed at improving accessibility both within municipal operations and at the ballot box. At its June 17 meeting, council adopted a new Accessibility Policy and received a draft 2026 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan, two documents that municipal staff said are closely connected.
Manager of Legislative Services and Clerk Colleen Kelly explained that the review began as part of preparations for the upcoming election. Municipalities are required to have an accessibility plan outlining how barriers will be removed for voters and candidates with disabilities.
“In going through that plan, however, it became clear that the accessibility plan that we have is more of a customer service policy,” Kelly told council. “The idea here was not only to update it, but to make it a more fulsome accessibility plan, as opposed to customer service, because customer service is just one part of the accessibility requirements that we have.”
The new policy replaces a customer service policy adopted in 2014. Kelly noted that provincial accessibility legislation and municipal responsibilities have evolved over the past decade, making an update necessary.
“It’s just to make sure that our policy is keeping up to date with what the municipality is actually doing,” she said.
After approving the new policy, council reviewed the municipality’s draft election accessibility plan. Kelly said the plan incorporates the updated policy and fulfills requirements under the Municipal Elections Act. It will also be reviewed by Middlesex County’s Accessibility Advisory Committee before being finalized.
The municipality will continue to use internet and telephone voting during the 2026 election, supported by an in-person voter help centre at the municipal office in Glencoe. Councillor Mark McGill asked about access to assistance during the voting period.
Kelly said the help centre will operate throughout the week leading up to election day and remain open from 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. on voting day.
Staff will be available to assist residents with online or telephone voting and provide accessible equipment, seating and clear pathways within the building.
Mayor Allan Mayhew noted that accessibility concerns extend beyond physical mobility and can include residents who are uncomfortable with technology. Kelly agreed, saying the voter help centre is intended to support anyone who may need assistance.
“There will be staff available to do that,” she said. “We are here to help.”
