The Town of Essex has received two complaints of possible voter fraud in this week's election.
Manager of Communications Alex Denonville told BlackburnNews.com the allegations are related to forged signatures on proxy ballots.
"We can only confirm that the town has received two official complaints of proxies being signed without the consent of the electors," he said. "These complaints have been forwarded to the OPP [Ontario Provincial Police] for investigation."
OPP Constable Jim Root confirmed a complaint was received by police and is currently under investigation.
Denonville could not say if the complaints are related to the same ward or separate wards.
If an elector is unable to vote in an advance poll or on election day, they can sign a document appointing someone else to vote on their behalf. The declaration has to be certified by the town clerk.
Denonville said the clerk does not call the elector to confirm the proxy.
"It's a signed declaration, so it's a legal form," said Denonville. "We don't have the capacity to follow up with each proxy."
The clerk also does not have the authority to investigate infractions of the Municipal Elections Act.
"We are concerned about it obviously. We are hearing about it, and we're not going to let it go," said Denonville.
BlackburnNews.com has reached out Councillor Sherry Bondy, who raised the issue.