| Published April 29, 2025
Canada’s Commitment to Paper Ballots: A Model for Election Integrity
In an era when election security is under increasing scrutiny worldwide, Canada stands out for its commitment to a simple yet highly effective system: paper ballots and hand counting.
During the 2025 Canadian federal election, Elections Canada once again demonstrated that low-tech voting methods can deliver trustworthy results. As reported by The Gateway Pundit and Vancouver Sun, Canada continues to rely on a system that prioritizes transparency, security, and public trust — deliberately avoiding the controversies surrounding electronic voting machines seen in other countries.
Unlike nations where electronic systems have led to claims of glitches, hacking, and irregularities, Canada’s approach is refreshingly straightforward. Voters mark paper ballots by hand. Once polls close, trained election workers count the votes manually in full view of party scrutineers and observers. If questions arise, recounts are conducted by hand, ensuring every ballot is reviewed accurately.
Stéphane Perrault, Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer, emphasized that the country has no plans to adopt electronic voting machines nationally. “Hand-counted paper ballots remain the most reliable method for ensuring public confidence,” he stated. With nearly 20 million votes cast in the 2025 election, the system proved efficient and resilient — even in the face of growing cyber threats globally.
Key reasons for sticking to paper ballots include:
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Transparency: Every step, from ballot casting to counting, is observable.
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Security: Paper ballots are immune to cyberattacks.
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Trust: Canadians have long trusted the integrity of their elections.
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Simplicity: In the rare event of a dispute, a manual recount is straightforward.
In Canada, each voting station counts its ballots immediately after polls close, and preliminary results are available quickly without needing complicated software or tabulation machines. It’s a model that many experts believe could help restore voter confidence in other democracies facing turmoil over election processes.
Some Canadians have called for experimenting with online or machine-based voting, particularly to make voting more accessible. However, Elections Canada has maintained that while accessibility is important, the risks associated with digital systems outweigh the benefits at a federal level.
As debates over election security continue around the world, Canada’s steadfast dedication to paper ballots and hand counting is gaining fresh admiration. In a high-tech world increasingly riddled with cyber concerns, Canada’s old-fashioned election system may just be the future of secure, credible democracy.
Canada is the second-largest country by land mass in the world.
Canada also completes its elections in one day!
Canada does not use electronic voting machines.
Canada uses paper ballots, voting takes place in one day, and results are released when the polls close.
This is the ONLY secure way to hold elections.
Canada will announce the winners tonight.
If the US did this crooked Democrats would not win in another 30 years, if ever.
Here are the pros and cons of Canada’s use of paper ballots and hand counting in elections:
Pros:
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Security:
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Paper ballots are immune to cyberattacks, ensuring that election results are not vulnerable to hacking or digital manipulation.
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Transparency:
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The counting process is open to observation by party scrutineers and the public, which promotes confidence in the integrity of the results.
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Accuracy:
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Manual counting can minimize errors and allow for a more thorough review of each ballot in cases of disputes or recounts.
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Trustworthiness:
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Canadians have long trusted the paper ballot system, contributing to the overall credibility of the election process.
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Simplicity:
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The process is easy to understand, both for voters and election officials, reducing the likelihood of technical failures or complications.
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No Dependence on Technology:
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There’s no need for expensive or potentially unreliable technology, reducing the risk of glitches or malfunctions during the election.
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Cons:
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Slower Results:
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Counting paper ballots manually takes longer, which means final results may not be available as quickly as in electronic systems.
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Human Error:
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While manual counting is accurate, it is still subject to human error, especially if election officials are overworked or undertrained.
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Labor-Intensive:
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Paper ballots require more staff and resources to count compared to digital systems, which could lead to higher operational costs.
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Limited Accessibility:
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For some voters, especially those with disabilities or in remote areas, paper ballots may not be as accessible or convenient as digital alternatives.
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Environmental Impact:
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The use of paper ballots requires large amounts of paper and printing resources, contributing to environmental waste compared to electronic systems.
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Potential for Physical Ballot Tampering:
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While paper ballots are less vulnerable to digital manipulation, they could still be subject to physical tampering or misplacement, especially in less secure areas.
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Conclusion:
Canada’s commitment to paper ballots and hand counting in elections remains a steadfast approach to ensuring election integrity, transparency, and public trust. While this system offers numerous advantages, such as security, simplicity, and reliability, it also comes with challenges, including slower results and potential human error. In a world increasingly reliant on digital solutions, Canada’s “low-tech” method serves as a reminder that sometimes the most straightforward systems are the most secure and trustworthy. As other nations grapple with election vulnerabilities, Canada’s model might offer valuable insights into how to safeguard democratic processes without compromising on accessibility or transparency.
SOURCES: THE GATEWAY PUNDIT – Canada Uses Paper Ballots, Election Is Over in One Day, No Machines, and Results Are Out When Polls Close
VANCOUVER SUN – Low-tech vote: Why does Elections Canada use paper ballots and hand-counting?
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