Chatham-Kent residents with access to the internet will be able to cast their ballot for the municipal election starting Monday.
Internet voting in Chatham-Kent opens at 10 a.m. for everyone on the municipal voter’s list. Electors can submit ballots online until October 16.
“The great thing about this is you don’t have to be in Chatham-Kent. If you’re out travelling and wouldn’t be able to hit either election day or the advance polls, internet is a great option,” said Municipal Clerk Judy Smith.
Smith said the option to vote online was made available during the previous two elections and it has become more and more popular with local residents.
“It’s worked very well. I think in 2014, we had approximately 3,000 people vote [by] internet. In 2018, we had about 10,000 people vote [by] internet, and we’re really hoping those number go much higher this year,” she said. “We’re really trying to encourage internet voting.”
While there are fewer candidates running in Chatham-Kent in this election compared to previous years, Smith said the municipality is optimistic everyone will exercise their right to vote.
“Four years ago we had approximately 80 candidates for all of the positions and this year we’re down to approximately 50. I’ve talked to other clerks and it seems like, across the province, nominations are down,” she said. “We’re still hoping that people come out and express their vote.”
To vote online, electors will need the pin number that is provided on their voter’s card. Once online voting is officially open, a link will be provided on the municipality’s website, which can be found by clicking here.
Advance polls run October 13th to the 15th.
Advance polling locations:
Tilbury & District Memorial Arena, 49 Bond Avenue, Tilbury
Blenheim St. Mary’s Hall, 94 George Street, Blenheim
Ridgetown Youth Centre, 26 Ebenezer Street West, Ridgetown
Dresden Ken Houston Memorial Arena, 1212 North Street, Dresden
Wallaceburg First Baptist Church, 99 Thomas Avenue, Wallaceburg
Chatham-Kent John D Bradley Centre, 565 Richmond Street, Chatham
New this year is the addition of a vote van, which will be making stops in Wheatley, Erieau, Bothwell, Mitchell’s Bay and Chatham.
Thursday, October 13
Wheatley Memorial Arena Parking Lot 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Erieau Main Boulevard 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Friday, October 14
Bothwell Arena Parking Lot 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Mitchell’s Bay Park Pavilion 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Saturday, October 15
Real Canadian Superstore Parking Lot 9:30am – 11:30am
Cultural Centre Parking Lot 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Election Day is Monday, October 24 with the polls open 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Smith said the final results are expected to be released by 9 p.m.
