Early voter turnout is strong

Photo: Castanet Staff

Voter turnout was strong Wednesday at the Parkinson Rec Centre in Kelowna.t

Advanced voter turnout was strong around the Central Okanagan Wednesday with several lineups at polling stations.

At the Parkinson Rec Centre, election officials had already collected 1,540 votes by 8 p.m. when polls closed.

“We’re over 650 voters already, so it’s been very good,” explained Corinne Boback, deputy chief election officer at noon on Wednesday.

“There has been a constant lineup, but it’s flowing nicely. People are coming in (and) they’re not waiting too long; having the chance to vote, and leaving happy.”

Some of those happy voters spoke with Castanet to give their thoughts on the 2014 Municipal election.

Harvey Benson said the number of candidates running for councilor meant more homework for the voters, but he appreciated the suggestions provided by ForKelowna.

“I like what’s been done over the last three years and I would like to keep that momentum going,” he said.

Another early voter who did not want to provide his name said he was not familiar with all the candidates running this year, but wanted to see change take place.

“My vote was more of an anti-vote,” he said.

“I don’t think quite a number of councilors are doing a good job. So I came here specifically as an anti-vote.”

Sandra said she was able to review all of the candidates and their platforms before voting on Wednesday afternoon.

“I chose ahead of time, so I knew what I was doing,” she said.

“I’m pro development. I think Kelowna needs to make room for all the people that want to come here, so I’m for building and development.”

Joerg Klaemt also said it wasn’t difficult to choose eight councilors, providing no incumbents were re-elected. He also hopes the new council will listen to the taxpayers and not big business.

“And when it said tax payers only, they have my vote,” he said, referring to his vote.

Meanwhile, Darren Mitchell says the public forums helped him form an opinion.

“It put forth an agenda, and the one that I chose to go with, I thought met the needs and ideas that my wife and I have for this community. So that gave me a good idea to what those people running for council or re-election would be standing for.”

Down in Peachland, the lineup was a little shorter – only 83 people had cast their vote by noon and voters their had different issue on their agenda.

Voters spoke of seniors housing, highway safety, and the New Monaco development.

For those in the Regional District of Central Okanagan 2014 Local Government Election, 123 people voted in the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area  to choose a new Director (53 in 2011/59 in 2008).
 
Next Wednesday between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm is the final opportunity for Advance Voting if residents are not able to vote on General Voting Day, Saturday, November 15. 

Central Okanagan West voters may cast an advance ballot at the first floor Boardroom at the Westbank First Nation office (301-515 Highway 97 South) and at the Killiney Beach Community Library (514 Udell Road in Killiney Beach). 
 
Communications Officer Bruce Smith says voters must bring along two pieces of acceptable identification that proves their current residence and who they are and one of those documents must have a signature on it. 

“Qualified voters must be at least 18 years of age on the date that they vote; they must be a Canadian Citizen, a resident of British Columbia for six months prior to voting day and a resident of their Electoral Area for at least 30 days before voting day.” 

Qualified non-resident property electors may also be eligible to vote.
 
“Some may not realize that qualified voters living on Westbank First Nation Reserves #9 and #10 are eligible to vote in the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area Director election, “ adds Smith.

For those with questions about voting and qualifications and whether they live within the Electoral Area boundary,check out the Elections Information links on the Regional District website regionaldistrict.com/elections, or email  [email protected] or call  250-763-4918.
 
For general information on Advance and General Voting days only while the polls are open, please call the Election Hotline at 250-469-6339.