THUNDER BAY — Less than two weeks from now, Thunder Bay voters can start casting ballots for the 2018 municipal and school board election.
While Election Day is officially Oct. 22, voters have the option of voting online or by telephone as early as Oct. 9, and right through to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
The city has mailed voter instruction letters to residents who are on the voters list.
The letters contain essential information on how, when and where to vote.
Those who choose to vote at their area polling station on Oct. 22 must bring their voter instruction letter with them, along with identification.
City clerk and returning officer John Hannam advises residents to keep their voting instruction letter in a safe spot until voting time. In addition to voting instructions, each letter has a unique personal identification number necessary to cast a ballot, no matter which method the voter opts to use.
"The opportunity to provide voters with the option of Internet and telephone voting requires us to distribute more detailed information to eligible voters this election," Hannam said.
"By introducing these new voting methods, we are looking to improve engagement and voting participation, and give voters the opportunity to vote when it's convenient for them, whether at home, work, or on the move."
When online and telephone voting begins on Oct. 9, it will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If residents don't receive a letter, it means they were excluded from the voters list at the time the voting instruction letters were printed and mailed out.
Eligible voters may visit the city clerk's office in person to make any additions, deletions or corrections to the voters list.
The city will also hold voters list revision days at half a dozen locations between Sept. 27 and Oct. 4.
More information is available at www.tbayvotes.ca.
