INNISFAIL – Citizens in Innisfail are casting their early votes for this year's municipal election in record numbers.
The first two advance polls for the Oct. 16 election have been completed. They were held Friday (Oct. 6) from 4 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday (Oct. 7) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Community Room of the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre. The third and final advance poll will be next Saturday (Oct. 14) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., also at the library/learning centre.
“We've had more votes by the second advance (poll) than at all three during the last election. We've already gone past the number of votes for the first two days. It was a record first day with 156,” said Heather Whymark, the town's returning officer. “They were lined up at the day (Friday) waiting for the door to be open at 4 p.m. The first hour and a half was steady, a line up. It was good.”
As for the reason for the high advance poll turn out, Whymark said at first she thought citizens were just being “keeners” to be early voters but she heard many comments that because they did not vote in the 2013 municipal election, which attracted only 26 per cent of all eligible voters in Innisfail, they would make a greater effort for this year's election.
“A lot were new to the electronic system, which we used last election, so that is new to them. We have lots of new people voting,' she said, adding this time around she's expecting a higher percentage of citizens who will cast votes. “I would like to see 40. They say that is a really good turnout.”
Whymark said she will be at the library/learning centre on election night on Oct. 16, and will have final results ready for candidates and the public by 8:15 p.m., just a quarter hour after voting is closed.
Heather Whymark, the town's returning officer
"We've had more votes by the second advance (poll) than at all three during the last election. We've already gone past the number of votes for the first two days. It was a record first day with 156."
