The local mayors' race and plenty of council candidates seems to have bumped up voter turnout prior to Saturday's general voting day for the 2014 civic election.
During Trail's advance polling opportunities the past two Wednesdays, 1128 people turned up to cast a ballot at the Aquatic Centre voting stations.
That's about 20 per cent of the city's electorate so far, which is a good sign considering the 2011 municipal race only brought out 31 per cent of Trail voters.
Polls are open tomorrow from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. in the Trail Memorial Centre gymnasium.
Michelle McIsaac, Trail's chief election officer (CEO), reminds anyone with mobility challenges who would like to curbside vote, to have their driver park in the facility's front parking stalls or in the building's parking lot, and then have the driver come to the polling station.
“Let election officials know there is someone waiting on us to go out to the vehicle with the voting supplies,” she added. “Also a reminder that people can drive around the back of the Memorial Centre to gain access to the parking stalls out front.”
Besides choosing one mayor and up to six councillors, Trail voters will be asked a 'Yes' or 'No' question about the proposed Trail Riverfront Centre.
The referendum asks, “Are you in favour of the City of Trail enacting Bylaw No. 2781 authorizing borrowing of $6,288,000 for the construction of an integrated municipal library and museum facility?”
Whether it's the three-way mayor's race or the chance to vote after six years without an election, Warfield's CEO Allana Ferro reports a good turnout during the village's advance polling opportunities.
So far, 204 residents cast a ballot, said Ferro, which is about 15 per cent of the Warfield electorate.
For the rest of the village's 1400 electors, the voting station will be open Saturday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. in council chambers at the Warfield office on Schofield Highway.
Eligible voters who may not have already registered can still cast a ballot on Saturday with proof of identification. Two pieces of ID are required – one indicate who the individual is and place of residence, and a second piece that includes a signature.
The one statutory advance voting day on Nov. 5 only brought out 31 people to Montrose's polling station, noted CEO Kevin Chartres, adding that the estimated number of voters is 838, which translates into a less than four per cent.
Montrose residents have opportunity to cast a ballot today at the village office on 11th Ave. from 8:30 a.m. until noon and 1 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. then again Saturday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
With 15 names up to fill five seats, about 10 per cent of Salmo's electorate cast a ballot during the Nov. 5 advance polling opportunity.
The village's Saturday voting stations will be in the Salmo Valley Youth and Community Centre on Seventh Street from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
As a public service, CivicInfo BC posts province-wide unofficial local election results as reported by chief election officers in municipalities, regional districts and school districts.
As received, unofficial municipal results will be available at www.election2014.civicinfo.bc.ca after voting places close at 8 p.m. Saturday.