Smooth Rock Falls reminds voters of scrutineer rules, clerk’s role and ballot secrecy ahead of Oct. 26 election

Smooth Rock Falls voters go to the polls on Oct. 26, 2026, and the town is reminding residents that candidates and their authorized scrutineers can observe the vote count but are not allowed to handle ballots, interfere with voting or counting, or change the results.

The reminders, posted by the Town of Smooth Rock Falls, outline who is responsible for running the municipal election and what protections apply to voters, including rules around ballot secrecy.

According to the town’s notice, scrutineers for candidates are permitted to observe certain election procedures, including the counting of votes, as long as they follow the Municipal Elections Act and the clerk’s procedures.

The town says scrutineers may ask questions during the process, but they cannot handle ballots, interfere with the process or change the results.

The notice also states that the municipal clerk is responsible for conducting the municipal election “independently and impartially,” in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act.

Council is not involved in counting votes, does not supervise election procedures and does not determine the results, the town says.

On ballot secrecy, the town says no candidate, council member, municipal employee or other resident is entitled to know how someone voted.

Election records may confirm that a person voted, but they do not reveal which candidates were selected on the ballot, according to the town’s notice.