Holyrood lays out voting details
By Chris Lewis|August 5, 2021
Holyrood is officially adopting a vote by mail process for this year’s municipal election.
A special meeting of council was held Tuesday, July 27, so that members of council could discuss mail-in voting and a set of regulations and forms developed by the Town and the Department of Municipal Affairs.
According to councillor Kim Ghaney, the regulations were the result of consultations last month between the two parties.
Ghaney’s motion to approve the regulations passed unanimously.
“All residents will receive a vote by mail kit,” said Mayor Kevin Costello. “The distribution of these kits will begin on September 6, running until September 7. They will be distributed via Canada Post, in your mailbox.”
The Town’s voter list will be updated as much as is “reasonably practical” Costello added, noting the Town has a good starting point as the province is fresh out of a provincial election.
“Staff will be working to have our voters list up to the best possible shape we can have it … That being said, we’re not going to get everybody,” he admitted.
If you do not receive a vote by mail kit by the 10th of September, and you want to vote by mail, contact the Town Hall, Costello advised. You can also contact the Town to ensure you are on the voter’s list.
Once polling comes to an end on Tuesday, Sept. 28, Costello said, counting of the ballots will begin. Votes sent by mail will not be counted in advance. Representatives for the candidates will be on hand to oversee the counting process.
“In-person polling stations will be held at the municipal building – the Hubert A. Keough building,” the Mayor said. “We won’t be having polling stations at the Legion, or the community centre.”