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The local Federal Returning Office is open and ready for the extended federal election campaign. Photo by Dennis Chippa.
The federal election may still be a long way away, but that doesn’t mean work isn't being done to set up voting day.
The local returning office is now open, in the former Corpus Christi school on Brennan Street.
The returning office has been open for several days, and certainly much earlier than it normally is.
Elections Canada spokesperson Diane Benson says the lengthy campaign means the offices are open longer.
“So there’s some logistical stuff that happens in the beginning. Also the returning offices have to have some key staff on for a longer period of time because those key staff offer specific services to electors throughout the election. So they have to be on for a little bit longer than they would be for a shorter election period.”
Benson says that also means increased cost.
“The returning officers have to lease space for longer, eleven weeks instead of five weeks. They have to have key staff on hand for that longer period of time. And they’re going to have to have those services they need, the telecommunication, the computers, rentals, furniture. That's all going to have to be for the longer period of time.”
“We have to hire people to staff advance polls and voting day. The majority of that activity is still going to take place within that 37 day election calendar and those costs are already accounted for. “
That being said, the returning office is now ready to offer support to candidates, and voters.
Candidates are already looking for the list of electors, so they know where to go to campaign. They have to register to be an official candidate, with all the paperwork that involves, and the Returning Office has to be there to answer any of their questions as the campaign moves along.
Benson says the Returning Office is also there to ensure voters get registered.
That information is now available to whomever needs it, including, Benson says, the chance to vote now, if you want to.
“It’s by something called special ballot. It means you fill out, you apply for and have to show your identification to get the ballot chit, and then you can fill out a ballot and put it inside a sealed envelope and then the returning officer will, if you’re from another riding or someplace else within Canada, they’ll make sure that ballot gets to the right riding where your address is associated. If you’re a local elector they’ll hold it there, they’ll put it in a secure box and it doesn’t get opened until the close of polls in that riding on election night.”
There have also been some geographic changes in the riding, including the inclusion of all of Nipissing First Nation, and the loss of some townships in the northern end.
Benson says advance polls will now be held over four days,scheduled for the Thanksgiving weekend in October.
Candidates have until September 28th at 2:00 PM to register with Elections Canada.
Anyone interested in working the election can apply through the website at http://www.elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=job&document=index&lang=e
