Voters interested in beating the crowds can take advantage of some advance voting opportunities this week.
The first is today at the Civic Centre, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is open to those who want to cast a ballot in the elections for Prince George city council and school board trustee electoral area one.
Those who want to vote in the elections for any of the contested electoral areas in the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George will have to go to the regional district’s office at First Avenue and George Street. Votes for the area one school board election will also be accepted there.
Another advanced voting opportunity for city council, school board and the regional district races will be held on Thursday at Pine Centre Mall, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Additional opportunities will be held next week, on Oct. 16 at the Civic Centre and regional district office, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Oct. 17 at the Bentley Centre at UNBC and regional district office, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The general voting day is set for Oct. 20, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Locations in the city on that day are at Blackburn Elementary School, D.P. Todd Secondary School, Edgewood Elementary School, École Lac des Bois, John McInnis Centre, Kelly Road Secondary School, Malaspina Elementary School, Ron Brent Elementary School and Vanway Elementary School.
Locations for the regional district on that day are at the district office, Nukko Lake Elementary School, Beaverly Elementary School, Miworth Community Hall, West Lake Community Hall, Blackburn Elementary School, Hixon Elementary School, Shell-Glen Fire Hall, Sinclair Mills Community Hall, Ferndale Community Hall, Willow River Fire Hall,Bear Lake Community Commission, Summit Lake Community Hall, Kelly Road Secondary School and Vanway Elementary School.
Information on voting eligibility is available at princegeorge.ca and rdffg.bc.ca. As for checking out the candidates before voting, there is a “candidating” event tonight at the main branch of the Prince George Public Library from 6:45-8:30 p.m. Attendees can spend up to two minutes of one-on-one time with the candidate of their choice to ask questions and discuss issues before moving on in a “speed dating” format.
The library is also hosting an event for School District 57 board candidates from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the main branch. Candidates will each have two minutes to introduce themselves to the audience, followed by informal group and individual discussion.
Finally, The Citizen, in partnership with the Prince George Chamber of Commerce, the B.C. Northern Real Estate Board and UNBC, will host an all-candidates forum for city council candidates in the Canfor Theatre at UNBC on Tuesday from 7-9 p.m.
The Citizen will be publishing short writeups from each school board and city council candidate in Saturday’s print and online edition.
