It will not be as easy to vote in this fall's Federal Election.
Local Election Canada officials say COVID-19 has created some logistical problems including access to facilities such as schools which are usually used as voting locations.
"A number of traditional poll sites are not able to lease their locations to Elections Canada for the 44th general election," stated Jim Mallory, Returning Officer in Nipissing-Timiskaming in an email to BayToday.
"As a result, as we scramble to find alternate locations our electors may find they are being sent a further distance from their residence than they are accustomed in order to cast their ballot."
Mallory admits this may also lead to increased lineups and wait times to vote.
Due to this situation, Mallory says they are encouraging voters to use three other options to vote.
One option is the use of a Special Ballot. An elector can vote at the Returning Officer (1781 Cassells St. in North Bay) from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
Mallory says the Special Ballot option end on Tuesday, September 14 at 6 p.m.
Another option is the Vote by Mail.
For an elector to Vote by Mail you need to do the following steps:
- Complete an application to vote by mail, which includes supplying copies of ID
- Submit the application to Elections Canada for processing
- Upon receiving a Special Ballot Voting Kit, complete the ballot and mail it back using the prepaid envelope
To get Vote by Mail application you can go to www.elections.ca to fill out an online application or call the Returning Officer at (416) 514-6166 to request a Vote by Mail application kit. You can also pick one up at the Returning Office at 1781 Cassells Street.
That application has to be completed and returned no later than 6 p.m. on September 14.
Mallory says completed ballots must be returned by close of polls on September 20 either by mail or by dropping it off at the Returning Officer or at any local voting site.
The third option is using Advance Poll Voting.
Advance Polls will open Friday, September 10 to Monday, September 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Mallory says to look at your voter information card which you will get in the mail to find out your voting location.
