Local elections officer Cathy Jackson says she’s pleased with the number of people who turned out to the first of two advance polls leading to general election day Oct. 15 for the six seats on the City of Terrace council.
Two polling stations were set up at the arena banquet room and between the two of them, 212 people voted, she said. “For the city, I think that’s quite a good turnout,” Jackson added.
The arena banquet room was also the location for advanced voting for the Thornhill seat on the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, known as Area E, and the Area C seat which is the larger rural area surrounding Terrace and sweeping south toward Kitimat.
“For Area C there were 31 votes and for Area E, 20 votes,” said Jackson.
The Terrace council advance poll turnout of 212 people stands in contrast to the results of a June 2021 byelection in which just 775 total votes were recorded.
And based on the first advance poll, Jackson was optimistic of another good turnout for the second advance poll on Oct. 12. It also takes place in the arena banquet room.
With just days until general voting day on Oct. 15, the number of campaign signs in Terrace and in the regional district have grown as candidates seek to place their names before the public.
There was also a brief controversy involving the signs promoting Inder Dhillon, one of 15 candidates running for the six Terrace council seats.
His signs at first contained the City of Terrace’s official logo, the one which contains a Kermode bear.
Dhillon was quickly informed that the logo could not be used and it was covered up on most signs. Some had the word ‘Terrace’ remaining.
Terrace voters will have a chance to meet the city council candidates Oct. 12 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Branch 13 of the Royal Canadian Legion
This will not be a traditional question and answer format in a group like in past elections and there is no debate between candidates. Rather, it’s a meet and greet in which voters can speak with candidates one on one.
Advance polls for city council, Area C and Area E for the regional district take place Oct. 12 at the arena banquet room.
There are two City of Terrace voting locations for the Oct. 15 election day, one at the arena banquet room and the other at Cassie Hall Elementary on the southside. The latter, a first for the city, is an attempt to reverse a decline in voter turnout by making it easier for southside residents to cast their ballots.
“It’s in the multipurpose room at the south end of the school and is wheelchair accessible,” said Jackson.
The voting stations on Oct. 15 for Thornhill, which is Area E, are at the arena banquet room, and at the Northwest Trades and Employment Training Centre (the old Thornhill Junior Secondary School).
For Area C, the larger rural area surrounding Terrace and extending south, the voting stations are at the Northwest Trades and Employment Training Centre, at the arena banquet room, at the Rosswood Community Hall and at the Haisla Nation Council building in Kitamaat Village.
Voting hours at all locations for both advance polls and on general voting day are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.