Westsiders vote today

Saturday, November 17th is General Voting Day for an estimated 22,564 eligible voters within the Westside District Municipality and 7,449 eligible voters in the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area.

Polling stations are located in seven locations and will be open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Qualified voters may cast ballots at:

• Glenrosa Elementary (3430 Webber Road)
  
• George Pringle Elementary (3770 Elliot Road)
  
• Constable Neil Bruce Middle School (2010 Daimler Road)
  
• Hudson Road Elementary (1221 Hudson Road)
  
• Rose Valley Elementary (1680 Westlake Road)
  
• Casa Loma Beach Park (2606 Casa Loma Road)
  
• Killiney Beach Community Hall (514 Udell Road, Killiney Beach).

"Voters must bring along two pieces of identification that prove their current residence and who they are and one of those must have their signature on it," says Lyla Lindsay, Chief Election Officer for the Regional District."

"In order to qualify, voters must be at least 18 years of age, a Canadian Citizen, a resident of British Columbia for the past six months and a resident of the election jurisdiction for 30 days immediately preceding election day. They must also sign a Voting Book to declare they meet the qualifications. We remind people living on First Nation Reserves #9 and #10 that meet the requirements, are eligible to vote in the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area Director election."

Communications Coordinator, Bruce Smith, says, "While six of the polling locations are wheelchair accessible (Casa Loma is not) any qualified voter who can’t leave their vehicle, may request an election official bring a ballot to them."

"If necessary, you may bring someone with you to help mark your ballot or you may ask an election official to assist. And if someone requires translation assistance, they may bring along a person to help them at the polling place."

Smith says since the June referendum, the voter screening process has been enhanced.

"We’ll have 144 people working in the polling locations, which is an increase of 65 people and our Information Services staff has developed ‘Election Helper’, a software program that pinpoints voter residency based on information provided on their driver’s license, either from the strip on the back of the license or via the address on the front, that can be typed into the software to display the address on a map."

If people have any questions about voting and qualifications they can check out the Westside Elections Information link on the Regional District website (www.regionaldistrict.com), or call the Election Day hotline on Saturday, November 17th at 718-0027.

Election results will be available Saturday evening after the polls close as they are reported to the Regional District by clicking on the Westside Elections Results link on the Regional District website. Refreshing the page (F5 or Refresh icon) will provide the latest results as they are available.

Castanet News will have complete results minutes after they become available as well as reaction from the key candidates.