The actual voting part of Barrie’s municipal election is now underway.
Today (Oct. 14) was the first day to cast ballots for the next mayor, eight of 10 city councillors (two were acclaimed), and school board trustees.
Wendy Cooke, Barrie's city clerk and director or legislative and court services, said that as of 4:45 p.m., Friday, 1,891 people had voted in the city, which has approximately 103,000 eligible voters. Voting can be done 24/7 online and telephone.
“Everything went smoothly, as far as I know,” she said. “Once we got people on the phone and kind of walked them through what to do, people were great.
“The telephone ballot is lengthy because there’s a statement of eligibility that we put on the ballot, and it’s on the online ballot (as well),” Cooke said, “so you have to listen to the whole statement before you can confirm and move on, on your ballot. Some people were trying to jump the queue on that, because of the statement and you’re swearing an oath… you have to listen to the whole thing.”
By phone it takes approximately three to five minutes to vote, Cooke said, while online it’s two minutes or less, although internet connection can be a factor.
Barrie voters can pick their favourites online and by phone during the voting period, Oct. 14-24, at in-person voter assistance centres Oct. 20, 21, 22 and 24 — by phone, laptop or iPads — and on the Barrie Votes Bus, which also allows in-person voting Oct. 15, 17 and 18.
Locations and times are included in voter information letters, which came by regular mail to voters.
Barrie had only in-person voting in 2018, using touch-screen technology, but no online or phone voting. Turnout four years ago was 27,652 — or 30 per cent.
But only online and phone voting was used in the 2020 Ward 3 byelection. Voter turnout was 23.8 per cent.
Electors who are on the voters’ list will have received a voter information letter. It contains a personal information number (PIN) specific to the elector, with information on the voting process and casting a ballot for Barrie's 2022 municipal election.
For any assistance with voting call 705-728-8683 (VOTE) or email [email protected] .
To vote you must be a Canadian citizen, be 18 years of age or older as of Oct. 24, 2022, be a Barrie resident, a Barrie property owner or tenant or spouse of a Barrie property owner or tenant, and not prohibited from voting by law.
For more information, visit barrie.ca/election.
