I’m registered and ready to vote.
Using the Elections Canada website – www.elections.ca – I was quickly and easily able to confirm that I am all legit and can cast a ballot with minimal fuss on election day.
I likely will wait until Oct. 19, general voting day to cast my ballot, as I like to keep my options open during the campaign before casting my vote. We all should remember in many, many places people still fight for the right to choose their leaders, and in others, people endure long waits and a host of other impediments just to be able to cast a ballot.
Registered voters will receive a card in the mail advising them of where to vote. These cards will be mailed in the week of Sept. 21 and Elections Canada indicates cards should be received by Oct. 1. There will be more than one polling place in Salmon Arm, so be sure to check on your voter information card or online.
But there are other options available.
Voters in the Shuswap will have a number of ways to cast their ballot – even if they will be out of the country or otherwise unavailable to vote in either the advance polls or on general election day.
According to the elections Canada Website: “If you find it more convenient, voters can cast ballots at any Elections Canada office across Canada.”
Salmon Arm’s election office is located in the Samara Building at 231 Trans-Canada Highway North-East, Suite 103. Offices are open Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In order to cast a special ballot, voters must bring proof of identity and address. The deadline for special ballot voting is Tuesday, Oct. 13. In the special ballot process, voters have to know which candidate they want to vote for and write it on the ballot. The close of nominations for candidates is Monday, Sept. 28. The complete list of confirmed candidates will be available on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Currently in the riding Conservative candidate Mel Arnold, Liberal candidate Cindy Derkaz and NDP candidate Jacqui Gingras have been confirmed by Elections Canada. Chris George of the Green Party has publicly announced his intention to run for the North Okanagan-Shuswap constituency, but was not officially registered at press time. There is also the option for voters to cast their ballots by mail. The deadline to apply to vote by mail is Tuesday, Oct. 13 for anyone applying online or sending their application to Elections Canada in Ottawa. Citizens can apply to vote by mail by visiting any Elections Canada office or mailing in an application form. Forms are available online at www.elections.ca, at any Elections Canada office or by calling 1-800-463-6868 toll-free.
For those who want to use the advance polling option, the dates are Friday, Oct. 9 through to Monday, Oct. 12 from noon to 8 p.m. In Salmon Arm, the advance polling station will be at the SASCU Recreation Centre. Voters will need to bring identification.
Regardless of which way you decided to cast your ballot, with four options, there’s little excuse for not casting a ballot.