Where, when, and how, to vote in Vernon Oct. 15

This Saturday, Oct. 15, municipal elections are taking place across the province, including here in Vernon.

Vernon residents have the chance to vote for one of three candidates running to become mayor, and 13 candidates vying for six council seats.

While voters have one choice for mayor, they are given six votes for council. It's worth remembering that if there are fewer than six candidates a person wants to be elected, it's best to just vote for those candidates, otherwise voting for all six will dilute the votes for their preferred candidates.

VERNON

MAYOR

Cumming, Victor (incumbent)
Anderson, Scott (current two-term councillor)
Olesen, Erik

COUNCIL

Brewer, Jenelle
Durning, Teresa (incumbent)
Fehr, Kelly (incumbent)
Gares, Kari (incumbent)
Guy, Brian
Hawse, Ross
Hendy, Stephanie
Mund, Akbal (incumbent)
Quiring, Brian (incumbent)
Stranks, Ed
Tucker, Dawn
Vance, Patrick
Wylie, Andy

The City of Vernon's website lists candidates and their contact information.

The Community Foundation North Okanagan website, Vital Vernon, has a comprehensive list of questions and answers from two mayoral candidates and 12 council candidates.

Vernon residents will also be asked to vote in a referendum for the Active Living Centre on this question:

"Are you in favour of 'Active Living Centre Loan Authorization Bylaw 5908' which would authorize the Corporation of the City of Vernon to borrow up to $121 million dollars, with interest, over a period not exceeding 30 years in order to finance the construction of an Active Living Centre to be located at 3501 43rd Avenue?"

Information from the City of Vernon about the Active Living Centre can be found here.

Multiple stories from iNFOnews.ca about the Active Living Centre can be found here.

Along with mayor and council, Vernon residents will also be asked to vote for School District 22 trustees.

SD22 CANDIDATES

Gen Acton (Lumby, incumbent, won by acclamation)
Lori Mindnich (Lumby incumbent, won by acclamation)
Andy Collins (Vernon)
Jenn Comazzetto (Vernon incumbent)
Philipp Gruner (Vernon)
Vanessa Mitchell (Vernon)
Mark Olsen (Vernon, incumbent)
Truman Spring (Vernon)
Tom Williamson (Vernon, incumbent)
Sylvia Herchen (Vernon, ParentsVoice B.C.)
Jewlie Milligan (Vernon, ParentsVoice B.C.)
Nellie Villegas (Vernon, ParentsVoice B.C.)
Robert Lee (Coldstream, incumbent)
Sheri Minard (Coldstream)
Kelli Sullivan (Coldstream)

If you want to know what a school trustee does go here.

For stories about ParentsVoice B.C. go here.

WHO CAN VOTE

You must be a Canadian citizen;
18 years of age or older as of Oct. 15, 2022;
a resident of B.C. for at least six months before the day you register to vote;
a resident of the municipality (no minimum amount of time) or a qualified non-resident property elector (must have owned the property for at least 30 days before the day you register to vote); and not disqualified from voting.
You are disqualified from voting if you have been convicted of an indictable offence and are currently in custody or if you have been found guilty of an election offence.

WHAT TO BRING

Eligible voters must produce two pieces of identification to prove both residency and identity. At least one piece of identification must have a signature on it. Your identification does not need to include a photo. Acceptable forms of identification include:
B.C. Driver's Licence*
ICBC Vehicle Insurance
B.C. Identification Card
B.C. Services Card*
Citizenship Card
Property tax notice
Social Insurance Number card
Credit card
Utility bill for municipal residence (electricity, natural gas, water, phone or cable service)
*NOTE: A combination B.C. Driver's Licence and Services Card counts as only one piece of identification

WHERE TO VOTE

All polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Advanced polls take place Oct. 12 and Oct. 13, at City Hall, 3400 30 Street, Vernon.

General voting on Oct. 15 takes place at:

Recreation Centre Auditorium, 3310 37 Avenue, Vernon.

Fulton Secondary School, 2301 Fulton Road, Vernon.

Vernon Secondary School, 2100 15 Street, Vernon.

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