Close to 650 voters came out on the first day of advance voting (May 5) in a Qualicum Beach byelection to fill the lone vacant position on council.
“Qualicum Beach residents historically show great community pride through high voter turnouts for local elections,” said chief election officer, Heather Svensen. “In addition to the 647 electors who cast their ballot today, we have approximately 850 residents who have registered to vote by mail, an option being offered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Advance voting is open for eligible electors from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre at 747 Jones St., which is the designated voting place for the remaining advance voting day May 12 and general voting day, May 15.
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If you wish to avoid the most popular times on voting day, cast your ballot in the late afternoon or evening. Eligible electors that are not on the list of registered electors can, after providing identification, register at the voting place immediately before voting.
The Qualicum Beach Civic Centre is wheelchair accessible. If you are able to make it to the Civic Centre, but due to a disability or illness have difficulty getting into or out of your car, you can call the chief election officer at 250-927-5010 or have someone come into the voting place and ask an election official for “curbside voting.” Election officials will bring a ballot to the curb, wait while you mark your ballot, and will deposit the ballot into the vote counting unit in the voting place for you.
For further information on voting, visit the town’s website at www.qualicumbeach.com, refer to the special election edition of the noteworthy, email hsvensen@qualicumbeach.com, call 250-738-2207, or visit town hall.
— NEWS Staff, submitted