Election day is July 9 for Nipissing First Nation (NFN). Six candidates are in the running for Chief, and 20 candidates are vying for seven council seats for the 2021-2024 term
Two candidates’ nights were held. The first, on June 16, showcased the Chief candidates, and the second on June 17 provided a platform for council hopefuls.
Meetings were conducted by Zoom, and both sessions can be viewed on NFN’s site.
See: Nipissing First Nation announces final list of election candidates
Approximately 2,467 people are eligible to vote in one of three ways. Online electronic voting, mail-in ballots, or in person. However, given safety concerns stemming from Covid-19, voters are encouraged to vote online or by mail.
Online voting is currently open with polls closing on July 9 at 8 p.m. To vote online, visit the OneFeather platform.
Once on the OneFeather site, voters are asked for their status number, date of both, and email address. Full instruction on how to cast your ballot online can be found on NFN’s election page.
Mail-in ballots were sent out to voters in early June. For residents who did not receive a voting package, or misplaced it, contact Fred Bellefeuille, the First Nation’s electoral officer at 705-753-6975.
See: Ottawa appeals court ruling that limits First Nations' ability to postpone elections
Mail-in ballots must be received before polls close this Friday at 8 p.m.
In-person voting will take place at the NFN Complex in Garden Village, and Nbisiing School, Duchesnay from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
A line with physical distancing markers will be set outside if the waiting area inside is full. Voters must wear masks while in line and within the voting station.
Ballots will be counted in Garden Village once the polls close. Electronic votes will be declared first, followed by mail-in and in-person ballots.
The results will be tabulated live on NFN’s YouTube channel.
See: Nipissing First Nation Chief says Indigenous languages revitalization is critical
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
