The City of Quesnel announced today that advance voter turnout is low.
The City’s news release said that out of 7,484 eligible voters, only 243 voters have cast their ballots in the first two advance voting days on October 10 and 13 for the municipal government and Public Works Facility Referendum.
“This number is much lower compared to the 2014 elections, which saw 651 voters in the first advance polls,” said the release.
“Although we have done more advertising, and offered more voting opportunities this election, so far the voter turn out is substantially lower than in 2014,” says Chief Election Officer Gina Albers.
“Quesnel voters have two voting opportunities left to cast their ballots for who could be elected as City of Quesnel Councillors and Quesnel School District Trustees, and whether or not the proposed Public Works Facility project will proceed. These are important decisions that will affect the future of our community, so I really hope to see an increase in voter turnout at the October 17 and 20 voting stations.”
“The City Councillors, Cariboo Regional District Directors, and Quesnel School District Trustees you select on October 20 will face significant leadership challenges over the next four years,” says Mayor Bob Simpson.
“Who you select as your representatives will determine whether or not we rise to those challenges and face them courageously and collaboratively, or we merely take the path of least resistance and simply hope everything will turn out OK.”
Advance Voting Turnout
Advance Poll 1
2014 Voters = 392
2018 Voters = 116
Advance Poll 2
2014 Voters = 259
2018 Voters = 127
Total Voters in first two advance polls
2014 voters = 651
2018 voters = 243
Voters can cast their ballot at the following voting opportunities:
Advance Poll #3
Wednesday, October 17, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
CNC/UNBC Campus, 100 Campus Way
General Voting Day
Saturday, October 20, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Quesnel City Hall, 410 Kinchant Street
Correlieu Secondary School, 850 Anderson Drive
Dragon Lake Elementary School, 2655 Quesnel-Hydraulic Road
More information about voting options, requirements and more is available at www.quesnel.ca/election.
READ MORE: Referendum set for replacement of Quesnel’s Public Works facility
editor@quesnelobserver.com
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