More votes have already been cast in advance of election day this year than in the last municipal elections in 2018, according to officials.
The online voting option was introduced in North Bay in time for this year's municipal elections. The elections for mayor, city councillors, and school board trustees take place on Oct. 24.
Online voting has been open since Oct. 13 and runs until Monday. Eligible voters can vote from anywhere using any computer, tablet or smartphone.
As of Tuesday, 3,992 ballots had been cast online plus another 1,598 via advance polls for a total vote count so far of 5,590. Broken down by location, the advance poll figures show 816 cast at Memorial Gardens, 477 at West Ferris Arena, and 305 at Castle Arms II.
There were 3,010 total advance votes cast four years ago. In 2018 from North Bay's population of 51,553, 37,272 eligible voters cast 16,866 votes for a turnout of 45.25 per cent. There are approximately 41,150 eligible voters this year (additions and subtractions are made to the voters' list right up until election day).
See related: Election officials easing concerns about online voting system
See also: City acts on candidates' concerns regarding voting by seniors
Anyone lacking transportation on Election Day will be able to ride a City bus for free in order to get to one of the polls. Additionally, computers will be available for online voting in the Lobby at City Hall from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
See: BayToday's 2022 Municipal Election coverage
Advance voting is now closed. With the addition of online voting, there were fewer advance poll opportunities and the 11 polling stations that were available for in-person voting on election day in 2018 have been reduced.
The City has introduced five Super Polls for in-person voting that are strategically located throughout all areas of the city at which any eligible elector will be able to cast their ballot on Election Day. Special polls will continue to be held at nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
According to the City, its goal has been to remove barriers to voting for all North Bay electors during the 2022 Municipal Election by providing options such as online and advanced voting. In recommending the switch to this hybrid voting method, City Clerk Karen McIsaac's report about the 2018 election referenced the frustrations revealed by the public about the lack of online voting. The hybrid model is also more expensive by approximately $100,000.
For more information about candidates and how to vote in the Municipal Elections, click here.
