More people cast ballots during Orillia’s advance voting opportunities this month than any previous municipal election.
Over the course of the five advance polls, which began Oct. 8 and wrapped up Friday (Oct. 21), 3,842 people voted.
By comparison, in 2018, 3,253 people voted prior to Election Day. In the municipal election prior to that, in 2014, 2,904 citizens cast their ballots. In 2010, 2,227 people voted in advance polls. Prior to that, there were three or fewer advance polls.
The highest voter turnout this year at the advance polls was among residents living in Ward 3 as 1,027 people from the ward cast ballots during the five days of voting.
According to statistics released by the city, 993 people from Ward 2 voted, while 944 people voted in Ward 4 and 878 citizens from Ward 1 voted.
Those who did not vote during the advance polls are urged to cast their ballots on Monday, Election Day.
You can vote from 10 a.m. until polls close at 8 p.m.
“Your municipal council is elected by you to set policy and make decisions about services and programs that impact your daily life. We encourage all Orillians to take the time to educate themselves about the issues and candidates in the upcoming municipal election,” Gayle Jackson, the city’s returning officer, noted in a press release.
“The municipal election is an important part of the democratic process and we invite all eligible voters to cast their ballot,” she added.
Here’s where you can vote on Election Day:
- Ward 1 - Masonic Building, 24 James St. E.
- Ward 2 - Orillia Recreation Centre, 255 West St. S.
- Ward 3 - Rotary Place, 100 University Ave.
- Ward 4 - Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School, 15 Commerce Rd.
Voters are encouraged to bring their voter notification card and identification (showing qualifying name and address).
If voters have not received a voter notification card, they can still vote and are asked to bring acceptable identification with them on Election Day.
The 2022 municipal election is being held for the purpose of electing one mayor, eight councillors (two to be elected for each of the four wards), and two school board trustees (one elected each for the Simcoe County District School Board, and Conseil scolaire Viamonde).
The trustee position for the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board has been acclaimed by Jill Colin and the trustee position for the Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir has been acclaimed by Claire Thibideau.
For more information, including details on how to vote, how to appoint a proxy vote, information on student voting, how to check if you are on the voters’ list, or to see the list of certified candidates, visit orillia.ca/2022election.
