Over 10 per cent of the electorate has already voted – Have you?
With the final day for voting in the Kingston municipal election only three days away, it’s time to make sure you are ready and able to cast your vote if you haven’t already.
According to the City of Kingston, almost 9,000 Kingstonians have already voted – 4,854 voted online, and 4,027 voted on the advanced voting day (Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018). Those 8,926 votes make up more than 10 per cent of the entire electorate.
Along with voting for a councillor for their district and a mayoral candidate, Kingstonians will also be voting on the Yes/No referendum question about whether or not they want to use a ranked ballot voting system (which would begin in 2022). You can learn more about ranked ballots from the City of Kingston here, or from the pro-ranked ballot group ‘Yes! Kingston’ here.
Voting day locations are listed on the Voter Information Notice (VIN) that should have been delivered to Kingston residence already. Voters are reminded to bring their VIN along with photo ID (a driver’s licence or health card) to any of the voting places in their district in order to cast their ballots.
Didn’t receiver a VIN? There is still time to register to vote in person. Go to www.CityofKingston.ca/Vote to check your eligibility, and find a list of acceptable documents for voter identification to bring with you to the voting place. While you’re there, select the green ‘In-person Voting’ button and enter your address to find your voting place. If all else fails, or if you have any questions, you can always call the Election Office at 613-546-4291, ext. 1430.
If you don’t know who you’re voting for already, Open Kingston has a good amount of information, which can be found at www.openkingston.ca.
Those with VINs are able to ride Kingston Transit or Kingston Access Buses for free on voting day (Monday, Oct. 22) by presenting their VIN when boarding the bus. Don’t forget to keep your VIN so you can get a free bus ride home, as well.
The City will post unofficial results – including unofficial referendum results – on its website as they become available after 8 p.m. on Monday. Those election night results will also be broadcast on a screen in Memorial Hall, City Hall, 216 Ontario St. We here at Kingstonist will also be covering the election live Monday night, so follow along on Facebook and Twitter.
It’s up to you to cast your vote in this municipal election, so now is the time to ensure you’re ready. Get out there and make your vote count, Kingston!