The advance polls saw record-breaking turnout, and all that’s left now is voting day. The local government elections are this Saturday, Oct. 20.
On the second day of advance polls Wednesday at the Bowen Park activity centre, citizens lined up a long way to get to the ballot box.
“It was a record breaking turnout for advance polls with over 5,000 ballots cast over the two days,” noted Sheila Gurrie, the city’s chief election officer, in a press release. “Thank you to all those who have voted so far. We appreciate your patience as you waited in line.”
As a comparison, the city notes that 2,262 votes were cast in advance polls in 2014.
There are a lot of places voters can cast their ballots on Saturday, with almost all polls open 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
In the City of Nanaimo, voters will elect a mayor and eight councillors. Voting takes place at: Bowen Park activity centre, Chase River Elementary School, City of Nanaimo Service and Resource Centre, Coal Tyee Elementary School, Departure Bay Activity Centre, Georgia Avenue Elementary School, McGirr Elementary School, Nanaimo Alliance Church, Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, Randerson Ridge Elementary and Wellington Community Hall. Note that at Protection Island Fire Hall, voting hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
For more information about voting in the City of Nanaimo, click here.
For the Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools board of trustees, voters will elect nine candidates. Voting locations are the same as above, as well as Cedar Elementary School and South Wellington School for Area A, Gabriola Elementary School for Area B, Extension Community Hall and Pleasant Valley Social Centre for Area C, Nanoose Place for Area E, Frank Jameson Community Centre in the Town of Ladysmith, Costin Hall for Lantzville, Chemainus Elementary School for Area G and North Oyster Elementary School for Area H.
For more information about the Nanaimo Ladysmith school trustee election, click here.
In the District of Lantzville, a mayor and four councillors will be elected. Voting takes place at Costin Hall.
For more information about the District of Lantzville election, click here.
In the Regional District of Nanaimo, Area A, Area B, Area F, Area G and Area H will elect one director each. North Cedar Elementary School and Nanaimo Cranberry Fire Department are voting places for Area A, Gabriola Elementary School for Area B and Gabriola Island Local Trust Area, Bradley Centre in Coombs for Area F, St. Columba Presbyterian Church Hall in Parksville for Area G and Lighthouse Community Centre in Qualicum Beach for Area F and Area H.
For more information about voting in Regional District of Nanaimo areas, click here.
Anyone who is a Canadian citizen at least 18 years old can vote, provided they have lived in B.C. for at least six months and have lived locally at least 30 days and are not disqualified by law from voting.
Voters will be asked to provide two pieces of identification, at least one with a signature, proving both residency and identity.
To read questionnaire responses from 75 local government election candidates, click here or here. For interviews with 50 local government election candidates, click here. For coverage of voter information events, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page for more.
