FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION - A steady stream of voters were lining up at the voting booths in Fort William First Nation, as members prepare to cast their vote for chief and council.
Voting opened Saturday morning at the Fort William First Nation Community Centre and will continue into the evening. So far election officials say voter turnout is looking very good this year.
“It’s been pretty steady,” said Paula Hyslop, electoral officer with Fort William First Nation, on Saturday. “A good a turn out for sure. A lot steadier than it has been in the past. Usually we get a little bit of a break here and there, but today it has been all go, go, go.”
Hyslop said it’s hard to say why there seems to be such a steady stream of voters this year. Four candidates are running for chief, while 33 have put their name on ballot for council.
“A lot less than what it has been in the past,” Hyslop said. “In the past we’ve had high numbers for council, but this year it’s a very small number.”
Those running for chief include incumbent Peter Collins, Leo Bannon, Walter Bannon, and Kyle MacLaurin.
The 33 running for the 12 seats on council include 10 incumbents.
Voting closes at 8 p.m. on Saturday and electoral staff will begin the counting process to announce the winners.
“It could be tomorrow morning, or a little later on, or in the middle of the night,” Hyslop said.
