B.C. residents are making their mark.
Advance voting for the 2017 provincial election took place Saturday and Sunday across B.C.
In the Vernon-Monashee riding approximately 2,450 ballots were cast - 250 in Lumby and 2,200 in Vernon.
“That was a nice busy start to the advance polling,” said Janice Mori, district electoral officer.
There are 47,373 registered voters in the district, who are choosing between NDP Barry Dorval, Liberal Eric Foster, Libertarian Don Jefcoat and Green Keli Westgate.
The Shuswap also proved to be busy with 2,642 ballots cast at voting stations in Desert Cove, Armstrong, Salmon Arm and Scotch Creek. There are 40,978 registered voters in the Shuswap whose choices are: Green Kevin Babcock, Liberal Greg Kyllo, NDP Sylvia Lindgren and Libertarian Kyle McCormack.
In Kelowna-Lake Country 3,772 ballots were cast over the weekend. There is a total of 46,477 total registered voters in that district, where the candidates are: Liberal Norm Letnick, NDP Erik Olsen and Green Alison Shaw.
It’s hard to know how the advance polls are stacking up compared to previous elections as the weekend’s polls were new.
“This is the first time we’ve had this advance poll and on a Sunday,” said Mori, adding in the Vernon-Monashee riding, “last term we had close to 7,000 people over the four days in advance polling.”
Advance voting continues this week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
n Vernon-Monashee Wednesday, May 3 - Saturday, May 6: Schubert Centre and Vernon Recreation Complex
n Friday, May 5 - Saturday, May 6: Lumby Whitevalley Community Centre
n Shuswap Wednesday, May 3 - Saturday, May 6: Armstrong Centennial Hall, Enderby Seniors Centre, Sicamous, Salmon Arm and Sorrento
“Desert Cove will not be advance voting (for these dates) in your area,” Shuswap electoral officer Linda Rivard reminds residents.
Residents can also vote at district electoral offices, which are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on advance and general voting days (Tuesday, May 9) and otherwise hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
“They can come into our office any time, any day,” said Mori, who reminds voters to take their ‘where to vote’ card with them.
In fact, you don’t even have to vote in your district.
“You could be up in Prince George and do it too,” said Mori.
The Vernon-Monashee office is located at 1150 Kalamalka Road.
The Shuswap office is located at 201-231 Trans Canada Highway.
The Kelowna-Lake Country office is at 1519 Keehn Road.
For more information visit elections.bc.ca
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