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The race is on

Municipalities are hoping voters will come out in droves for the 2017 election. On Oct. 16, residents will attend their respective polls to cast their vote for who will represent their municipality.
Municipal candidates are gearing up for election season, with residents taking to the polls Oct. 16.
Municipal candidates are gearing up for election season, with residents taking to the polls Oct. 16.

Municipalities are hoping voters will come out in droves for the 2017 election.

On Oct. 16, residents will attend their respective polls to cast their vote for who will represent their municipality.

Town of Bonnyville Mayor Gene Sobolewski encourages residents to take to the polls.

“The next council is going to be made-up exclusively by the decision making of the electors, and that's what an election is all about. They're the ones who are going to decide who they think are the best choice, and who best represents them as a candidate,” he said.

Returning officers in the Town and MD of Bonnyville, and the Village of Glendon agreed that residents should express their right to vote.

In 2013, the MD of Bonnyville saw just shy of 2,000 voters, while the town had just shy of a 20 per cent voter turnout with 1,009 residents heading to the polls.

The Village of Glendon is also hoping to see a better turnout this time around, after only 185 voters in the last municipal election.

“It's their civic duty. It's their right. Everyone should come out and vote… I do believe last time our percentage was 19 per cent, and we really want to get higher than that this time,” said Renee Stoyles, returning officer for the Town of Bonnyville.

The MD of Bonnyville saw the most candidates for their six wards, with 20 residents putting forward their names.

Some are just getting their feet wet, while others have been in the municipal government game for a number of years.

In the Town of Bonnyville, they had nine people put their name forward for one of the six spots on council.

The Village of Glendon also had a good turnout, with six candidates vying for one of the three seats on council.

In Bonnyville, Sobolewsi has been acclaimed as mayor.

“On one hand it feels good. There's confidence in what we've been able to accomplish, and that moving forward there is also reassurance and confidence that I have the ability to continue to be able to undertake the job as mayor. On the other hand, I do enjoy the aspects of a campaign, particularly the focused visiting, meeting, and candidates forums,” Sobolewski said.

Regardless of being acclaimed, Sobolewski will still be taking the time to pound the pavement and find out what his residents want and need.

“I will be making an effort to continue to reach out to people. Just because I'm acclaimed, doesn't mean status quo is maintained. We still have to listen and understand some of the issues people are bringing to us, and making sure we have an understanding and a clear mandate moving forward,” he added. “I want to make sure that I continue to listen, and dialogue with people.”

In the race for reeve of the MD of Bonnyville, voters will have two names on their ballot: Barry Kalinski and Greg Sawchuk.

The village takes a unique approach in the mayor selection process.

“Once election day comes and goes, council gets together and makes a decision amongst themselves as to which one is going to represent the village as mayor,” explained Crystal Hofer, returning officer for Glendon.

Residents who may not be in the area on Oct. 16, can vote a little bit early.

Advanced polls for the town are taking place on Oct. 5 at town hall. Voters can go to the hall with the proper identification between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. and cast their ballots.

Those who can't attend the advanced polls or vote in the general election have options.

In the MD and Glendon, they can inform returning officers that they require a special ballot.

“We actually prepare a package for them to pick-up or we mail one out. That option is for people who are either physically incapable to vote, are going to be out of town, or if they are working the election,” explained Esther Quiambao, MD of Bonnyville returning officer.

Those opting for special ballots are required to fill out an elector eligibility form, which must be included in the voting package.

Hofer added, “It's the same statement as elector eligibility that every elector has to sign on election day. They sign-off on that form, send us a copy of their ID, and get it back to us by 4 p.m. on election day and they're good to go,”

In town, they can call the town office and let them know they're an incapacitated voter.

“They need to phone me by Oct. 3 to get their name on the list, and we will have returning officers go to their home on the day of the election on Oct. 16, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.,” said Stoyles.

In town, residents can vote at the Bonnyville Seniors Drop In Centre between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

While most municipalities have upgraded their ballot system to an electronic counting method, the town has decided to keep it simple, by counting votes by hand.

“We looked at vote options and decided to still go with the paper ballots, because it was a little cheaper,” Stoyles said.

For MD electors, they will be voting at the selective stations within their ward.

“On election day we have 15-voting stations that we will have set-up. All of them, except for three, have a candidate race on the go. All, of course, will be able to vote for the reeve,” noted Quiambao.

The Glendon RCMP Hall will be where village voters will cast their ballots on the day-of.

“You have to be 18-years of age, be a Canadian citizen, and you have to have resided in Alberta for six-consecutive months immediately preceding the election, and be a resident in the area on the day of the election,” noted Stoyles.

Although they know they will never see a 100 per cent voter turnout, all three municipalities are hoping residents will take part in the election.

Hofer said, it's an opportunity for residents to have a say in who represents their municipality.

“It's everyone's right. It's how they have a voice… If you want to have a say, now is the time to make an impact,” Quiambao added.

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