THUNDER BAY – Early returns show Internet and telephone voting is proving to be a hit with the Thunder Bay electorate.
In the first 48 hours the new-to-the-city system was in place, 3,250 people took advantage of the opportunity to vote remotely, a total representing 4.1 per cent of the 79,060 eligible voters. An additional 1,598 voted at advance polls at West Thunder Community Centre, 47 fewer than in 2014.
Voters in Northwood were the most enthusiastic about electronic voting options.
A total of 464 ballots were cast, which represents 5.5 per cent of the eligible elector base of 9,815. An additional 410 voted in person.
Voters in McKellar, where a new councillor is guaranteed to be elected with the retirement of two-term Coun. Paul Pugh, were the least active online and telephone voters, with just 290 voters had cast a ballot, or 2.6 per cent of the 12,710 eligible to vote. Three-hundred-and-one voters physically went to the polls to vote, with 597 voting in person in Westfort and just 13 doing the same in Current River.
City clerk John Hannam said he expects between 50 per cent of 60 per cent of the final ballot count to be submitted electronically.
| Wards | Eligible Electors | Web Votes | Phone Votes | Total Electronic Votes | Manual | E-vote participation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current River | 10,158 | 339 | 27 | 366 | 13 | 3.6% |
| Red River | 14,238 | 535 | 60 | 595 | 28 | 4.2% |
| McKellar | 12,710 | 290 | 44 | 334 | 301 | 2.6% |
| McIntyre | 12,760 | 564 | 36 | 600 | 31 | 4.7% |
| Northwood | 9,815 | 464 | 71 | 535 | 410 | 5.5% |
| Westfort | 12,267 | 389 | 53 | 442 | 597 | 3.6% |
| Neebing | 7,112 | 344 | 34 | 378 | 218 | 5.3% |
*As of 9:37 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018
