With polls closed and the votes counted, the Fort Frances municipal election came to an end last night, much to the relief of Municipal Clerk Chelsea Greig.
This was Greig’s first election as clerk, and she said it was a long process.
“It’s a one-year process, so there are things, checklists we have been going through for a good year now,” she said. “It’s a lot more work behind the scenes than people would realize. But when it comes down to the actual election, it’s so much fun. It’s really been an honour getting to do this for all of the candidates. I’m excited to see them into the next four years.”
With the release of official results, it was announced that Fort Frances had a 41.6 per cent turnout by 2,809 voters out of a possible 6,746. Forty voters declined to vote in the mayoral race while 29 declined to vote in the council race.
Greig said the 10 days around the election were crazy.
“I would say the last 10 days have absolutely been a whirlwind, and we have met so many different people, and it’s wonderful that so many people are interested in municipal elections and really who leads the town,” she said. “It would be great to see a higher turnout in the next elections, so it’s never too early to register to vote and update your information.”
Greig also told The Times about the process for the council changeover.
“Nov. 9 is the last official council meeting, and then Nov. 14 is their last day in office. The inauguration of the new council happens Nov. 16, and that is when the lame duck period will end because it ends with the new council,” she said. “There’s really going to be no decision-making on Nov. 16, but we’ll be working on their orientation and onboarding in the couple of weeks following that; Nov. 23 is their first meeting.”
