Assembly of First Nations: Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Bulletin – Electronic Voting at the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly on December 3-5, 2024

Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Bulletin – Electronic Voting at the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly on December 3-5, 2024

Summary:

• The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) will be held December 3-5, 2024, at the Rogers Centre (formally Shaw Centre) on the traditional unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation, in Ottawa, Ontario.
• This SCA will see the introduction of an electronic voting system for Chiefs and Proxies attending both in-person and virtually.
• Resources, including a step-by-step guide for Chiefs and Proxies, have been developed to support the introduction of electronic voting. The guide can be found here: Guide for Chiefs and Proxies – Electronic Voting at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA).

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) will take place from December 3–5, 2024, at the Rogers Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, on the traditional, unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation. Dialogue sessions will be conducted on December 2, 2024. The Rogers Centre (formally Shaw Centre) is located at 55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 9J2.

For the first time, the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly will implement electronic voting, replacing manual vote counting and Zoom polling. Chiefs and Proxies, attending both in-person and virtually, will now use the AFN Electronic Voting Platform to cast their votes, enabling more efficient vote tabulation and allowing additional time for discussions.

This shift aligns with the AFN's improving Assemblies for Chiefs and Proxies. Although the AFN Electronic Voting Platform is new, a similar online system was successfully utilized for the National Chief election in December 2023, and during the on-line only Assemblies during the Pandemic.

Electronic Voting Process

Chiefs and Proxies will require a tablet, phone, or laptop to vote. For those without a device, a designated support room will be available on-site, equipped with technical support staff. Manual (lanyard) vote counting and Zoom polling will no longer be used. All votes will be processed exclusively through the AFN Electronic Voting Platform.

1. Pre-Registration – Chiefs and Proxies must submit government-issued photo ID (e.g., status card, driver's license, passport) and a valid email address. Proxies must also upload a signed Proxy letter. Verified participants will receive a six-digit passcode to access the voting platform.
2. Check-In – All participants, whether attending virtually or in-person, must check in to activate their voting access. On-site registrants will complete this step at the registration desk.
3. Voting Process – When a voting period opens, a link to the AFN Electronic Voting Platform and a confirmation code will be emailed to each registered Chief and Proxy. Chiefs and Proxies can select one of three options: support/for, against, or abstain. Once submitted, votes will be encrypted and securely stored in the platform's database.

For immediate assistance with registration or voting, Chiefs and Proxies can contact the Help Desk by phone at 1.833.368.7123 or by email at registration@afn.ca. The Help Desk will be available throughout the event to provide support for any technical issues.

Support and Resources

The AFN has developed a step-by-step guide to assist Chiefs and Proxies with the electronic voting process, available here: Guide for Chiefs and Proxies – Electronic Voting at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA). Additional resources include:

• An on-site support room with technical staff for troubleshooting and assistance.
• Charging stations and electrical outlets throughout the venue.
• Chiefs and Proxies can reach the Help Desk by email at registration@afn.ca or by phone at 1.833.368.7123 for assistance before and during the event.

To register for the AFN SCA on December 3-5, 2024, and access resources, including the draft agenda, proxy letter template, and other materials, please visit https://afn.ca/events/sca-december2024/.

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The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern.

For more information, please contact:

Genna Benson
Director of Communications
Assembly of First Nations
gbenson@afn.ca
(604) 340-3117 (mobile)

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