THUNDER BAY - The provincial election less than three weeks away and voters are being reminded that there is more than one way to participate in the election beyond casting a ballot.
Both electoral districts in Thunder Bay are still seeking to fill a number of positions for election day. Each riding requires almost 300 people to work various roles, from poll clerks to tabulators.
“We need over 100 people still to work on election day,” said Tracy Tieman, returning officer for the electoral district of Thunder Bay-Atikokan.
“We have various and different roles. We have voting stations with technology meaning computers, so we are looking for people with computer skills. We need a tabulator deputy returning officer, we need revision people, deputy returning officers. We also have voting locations with paper polls, so there we are looking for deputy returning officers and poll clerks and also information assistants.”
The Thunder Bay-Superior North riding is in a similar position, requiring more than 100 people to fill these roles before election day.
In order to apply for any of the positions, you must be a Canadian citizen, live in Ontario, and be over the age of 18-years-old.
“You get paid hourly wage,” Tieman said. “It’s a long day. You work 12 to 13 hours on election day. We also provide training for all of these positions and you are paid for the training as well.”
Tieman said she is confident they will fill all the positions before the June 7 election day, but there is still concern about having enough people to step in if someone has to step out.
“We usually get enough people,” Tieman said. “Sometimes the issue is having enough standby people, so we also need to hire standbys and have them trained so if anything happens to our poll workers on election day, we have someone who can fill in.”
Anyone interested in becoming involved can apply online at the Elections Ontario website or drop in at either electoral district returning officer locations. The office for the Thunder Bay-Atikokan riding is located on Walsh Street at Hyde Park School and the office for the Thunder Bay-Superior North riding is located in County Fair Plaza.
“It’s interesting,” Tieman said. “You’re doing your civic duty. During an election, it’s an interesting process you witness. We hope people take us up on the offer to come work on the election.”
