FORT FRANCES—With the Jan. 14 municipal byelection now only a little over a week away, a total of 1,376 ballots have come in so far, returning officer Glenn Treftlin reported Friday morning.
Treftlin added those who plan on mailing in their ballots—as opposed to delivering them by hand—should do so by Monday (Jan. 7) just to be sure it gets to the Civic Centre by Jan. 14.
“There’s still a chance that if they mail it by Jan. 8 or 9, it will still get here, but you never know,” he noted.
Those who fill out their voting kits and return them in person can do so up until 8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 14.
The Civic Centre is open from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and also will be open next Saturday (Jan. 12) from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. so residents can turn in their ballots.
“If anybody want to come in on that day, and if they have a question or needs some assistance, we’ll have people here to help them,” remarked Treftlin.
There’s a total of 5,993 eligible voters in Fort Frances, and Treftlin said the town is encouraging as many people as possible to vote. Voter turnout for the past couple of municipal elections has been in the 50-55 percent range.
“It’s their right to exercise their vote, and we’re certainly hoping that the vast majority of the voters out there do so,” said Treftlin.
He again reminded voters to read and follow all the directions in their voting kit before filling out their ballot and returning it.
“We have received some secrecy envelopes not in the yellow envelope. If they read the instructions, they can avoid that,” Treftlin noted, adding about 10 voting kits have been returned like this but that the problem is nowhere near what was experienced in last November’s municipal election.
Meanwhile, those who still haven’t received their voting kit must check in with the town. Treftlin noted they still have quite a few that were returned to them, and there’s a good chance if someone didn’t get one, the town has it.
People also should contact the clerk’s office if:
•they receive a voter kit and they’re not a qualified voter;
•they receive the wrong voter kit; and/or
•they spoil their ballot while completing the kit.
Incorrect voter kits are to be returned—unopened—to the clerk’s office.
Extra voter kits are available at the clerk’s office for electors who did not receive a kit, received a wrong one, or inadvertently spoiled their ballot.
The elector will have to complete some paperwork in order to receive a replacement kit/ballot, and bring identification to prove their citizenship, that they’re over 18, and that they live or own property here (such as a utility or tax bill).
Former councillor Todd Hamilton and Ken Perry are vying for the seat that came open when Coun. Tannis Drysdale resigned back in September.
The term of office is the remainder of the four-year term of the current council, which ends Nov. 30, 2010.
Anyone with questions regarding the byelection can call Treftlin or assistant returning officer Lori Pattison at 274-5323 (ext. 236 or ext. 290).
(Fort Frances Daily Bulletin)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
