Several Wellington North councillors were not happy with a recommendation to hold an advance poll only at the township office here, rather than have advance polls open in Arthur and Mount Forest.
CAO Mike Givens said it was his decision to have only one poll in advance of the Oct. 27 municipal election to give rural voters a place to cast their ballots.
The advance poll location was approved in a bylaw by council at its Sept. 8 meeting.
“I don’t disagree this will appeal to rural voters (but) they have always had it in Arthur and Mount Forest,” said councillor Sherry Burke. “I’m wondering whether we should have a polling station in Arthur and Mount Forest.”
Givens said the decision to go with only one advance poll was based on the cost of staff time needed, especially since the poll falls on the Thanksgiving weekend.
“I would personally like to see all three (locations) for the opportunity for the voters,” Mayor Ray Tout said.
Councillor Dan Yake agreed.
“There should be three locations,” Yake said. “The cost doesn’t bother me as much as the inconvenience.”
Deputy clerk Cathy More advised council that a decision had to be made at the meeting if council decided to open up advance polls in the urban communities.
“This bylaw has to be passed tonight because of timing,” she told council.
“The intent was to offer a central location for the advance poll,” Givens said of the Kenilworth polling station.
Tout acknowledged the tight time frame.
“Due to the timing we’re committed to a central location,” he said.
Council unanimously approved a single advance poll for Oct. 11 from 10am to 6pm.
