Voters have many options in Oct. 26 election
WELLINGTON COUNTY – In less than a month, Wellington County voters will have chosen who leads the county, its seven municipalities and local school boards.
For the next four years, elected leaders will set property taxes, determine how to spend taxpayer money and establish policy affecting everything from development and growth to what happens within school halls.
Many won’t even have to leave home to cast their ballot, with most municipalities providing options for phone or mail-in voting ahead of the Oct. 26 election.
Puslinch
Puslinch electors can vote-by-mail or in person.Voting kits will already be on their way by the time this feature reaches readers’ hands.
It’s recommended ballots be mailed back no later than Oct. 12. Votes received after election day won’t be counted.
Kits include printed voting instructions, a voter declaration form, ballot,secrecy sleeve and return envelope, which can be mailed or hand-delivered to the ballot return station at the municipal office (7404 Wellington Road 34).
In-person voting is available at the municipal office on weekdays, 9am to 4:30pm.
Centre Wellington
Fergus and Elora residents can vote online or by phone from Oct. 13 at 10am until Oct. 26 at 8pm.
Eligible voters will receive information – including a toll-free number and PIN – by mail.
Step-by-step voting tutorials can be found at the township’s website at centrewellington.ca.
Multiple voting help centres are set to operate from Oct. 17 to Oct. 26:
– St. John’s United Church in Belwood, Oct. 17 (11am to 1pm);
– Victoria Park Seniors Centre in Fergus, Oct. 19 and 21 (10am to 12pm);
– Municipal office in Elora (1 MacDonald Sq.), Oct. 19 and 21 (8:30am to 4:30pm), Oct. 22 and 23 (8:30am to 7:30pm), and Oct. 24 and 25 (10:30am to 2:30pm); and
– CW sportsplex in Fergus, Oct. 22 and 23 (8:30am to 7:30pm), and Oct. 24 and 25 (10:30am to 2:30pm).
On election day, both the CW sportsplex and the Elora municipal office will be open for help from 9am to 8pm.
Wellington North
Arthur and Mount Forest residents can vote by mail, attend an advance vote or drop a ballot off at the Kenilworth municipal office during business hours, or in a 24/7 secure drop box.
Township clerk Karren Wallace said voting is a chance to have a say in decisions that “affect you, your family and your community.”
“When you vote, you help choose the people who will represent you and make important decisions about your community,” Wallace added.
The vote-by-mail system in place since 2015 continues this year.
Voter kits are being mailed out now. Completed kits can be mailed back by Oct. 15 or hand-delivered to the secure drop box at 7490 Sideroad 7 W., Kenilworth.
Advance voting locations include:
– Mount Forest and District Sports Complex, Oct. 10 (10am to 3pm); and
– Arthur and Area Community Centre, Oct. 17 (10am to 3pm).
Mapleton
A combination of online, telephone and in-person voting is available to Mapleton’s electors.
Voter information and instruction letters will begin arriving starting this week.
Votes can be cast until 8pm on Oct. 26. Early voting begins Oct. 16 at 7am.
“Over the years, voting systems which utilize new and available technology have gained in popularity,” municipal clerk Larry Wheeler said.
He said voting is important and vital, especially in smaller, rural areas.
“Often the final results between those running for councillor are determined by a few dozen votes or less,” Wheeler added.
Those without internet access or a phone can visit the municipal office at 7275 Sideroad 16 to vote.
Minto
The town will continue primarily using mail-in voting, in place since 2000.
Voting kits are already on the way to electors.
Residents can hand deliver completed kits to the ballot return stations:
– Clifford Community Hall, Oct. 8 (4 to 8pm);
– Harriston Arena Auditorium, Oct. 13 (4 to 8pm); and
– Palmerston Arena Auditorium, Oct. 14 (4 to 8pm).
The last day recommended to mail in ballots is Oct. 15 for guaranteed arrival. Ballots can be brought into the municipal office until 8pm on Oct. 26.
In the last six elections, between 52 per cent and 57% of voters participated, according to municipal clerk Annilene McRobb.
In the previous election all candidates were acclaimed.
McRobb called for participation in local democracy: “If you don’t vote, how are you going to make any changes?”
Those who need help with voting can visit the municipal office at 5941 Highway 89 in Harriston.
Erin
Erin residents can vote for at-large council candidates by mail.
Electors will receive a voting kit by mail (already on its way) and can return it by mail or drop-off at the municipal office at 5684 Trafalgar Rd. until 8pm on Oct. 26.
If you don’t receive a voting kit by Oct. 8, visit town hall with a valid identification.
The deadline to mail completed voting kits back is Oct. 15.
Guelph/Eramosa
Residents here can vote by mail; kits are already in the mail. Kits should be mailed back by Oct. 9.
Ballots can be hand-delivered at the following return stations:
– municipal office at 8348 Wellington Road 124 in Brucedale, Oct. 5 to 22 (8:30am to 4pm), Oct. 23 (8:30am to 6pm), and Oct. 26 (8:30am to 8pm);
– Royal Distributing Athletic Performance Centre at 7384 Wellington Road 30 in Guelph, Oct. 19 (9am to 8pm);
– Rockwood Older Adult Centre and library at 121 Rockmosa Dr., Rockwood, Oct. 20 and 22 (4 to 8pm) and Oct. 24 (10am to 4pm);
– Marden Community Centre and library at 7368 Wellington Road 30 in Marden, Oct. 21 (4 to 8pm) and Oct. 24 (10 am to 4pm);
