After two days of Advance Polls, 629 residents in North Battleford have visited the Don Ross Centre to cast their vote in the 2020 Municipal Election. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW)

By Josh Ryan

Voting Early

Strong turnout in first two North Battleford advance polls

Nov 3, 2020 | 1:37 PM

After two days of advance polls in North Battleford’s municipal election, the 2020 race looks to be one of the most active in years.

Two hundred and eighty-four residents laid their votes down over the weekend before 345 more joined them Nov. 2, adding to 629 voters that have taken advantage of early polling. There will be one more opportunity still to come on Thursday at the Don Ross Centre. Returning Officer Debbie Wohlberg said these are strong turnout results.

“It’s been very, very, very good; I’m really pleased,” she said.

The volume of residents coming in to vote has been steady on each day so far, with a lineup beginning immediately on Saturday.

“Basically the gym filled up and it was steady for a good two-three hours,” Wohlberg said. “I think it was because of warm weather and people wanted to get home for trick-or-treaters.”

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Some of the turnout could be explained by concerns of large lineups during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Wohlberg said many voters simply like making the decision early and getting it out of the way.

“They like to get out and get it done, rather than leaving it to the last day,” she said. “In case something came up in their lives that prevented them from getting to the [polls].”

Another reason for the uptick in voter turnout is having a crowded mayoral race following two elections where the position was acclaimed. Incumbent Ryan Bater is facing four challengers in David Gillan, Lois Laing, Misa Nikolic and James Sieben.

“Soon as you have the head of council up for election, it tends to bring out more people to the polls,” Wohlberg said.

With one more advance poll left, Wohlberg still expects a fair number of voters to come out Thursday, which will run at a later time of 2 to 8 p.m.

“Hopefully it will catch those people who might have thought they couldn’t get away from work, but can now catch those last couple of hours before 8 p.m.,” she said. “I do think it’s going to be just as busy.”

On Election Day (Nov. 9) residents can vote at the Civic Centre between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Further information on how and where to vote is available on the city’s election website.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports