By Cailin Cousins / Got News Network

Advance voting turnout low in the City of Quesnel

Oct 15, 2018 | 2:44 PM

QUESNEL – 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 City of Quesnel Local Government Election and Public Works Facility Referendum. This number is much lower compared to the 2014 elections which saw 651 voters in the first advance polls.
 
“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.”
 
During the first Advance Poll last week, 116 people cast their votes, down from 392 in 2014.   The second Advance Poll saw slightly more ballots submitted with 127, but that number is still less than half of the votes cast in 2014.
 
Voters can cast their ballot at the following voting opportunities during the third Advance Poll on Wednesday, October 17 from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm at the CNC/UNBC Campus. General voting day is Saturday, October 20 from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm.
 
More information about voting options, requirements and more is available on the City of Quesnel’s website.