By Stephen Vance, Staff
While it is still very early in this election year, the list of candidates hoping to secure a seat at Meaford’s council on October 27 is growing.
As of the morning of May 28, there are three confirmed candidates for council seats – Peter Bantock, chair of Meaford’s library board, farmers’ market manager Jaden Calvert, and former Meaford Fire Chief Steve Nickels.
Two candidates have made their intention to seek the Mayor’s chair in October thus far. Former councillor, and 2010 mayoral candidate Jim McPherson, and current councillor Deborah Young have both filed their paperwork with the municipal Clerk.
Just one candidate is in the running at this stage for the Deputy Mayor position with incumbent Harley Greenfield seeking another term in that position.
In addition to members of council, school board trustees are also elected during municipal elections. Thus far, incumbent Fran Morgan will seek re-election to the Bluewater school board (English public), while Guy Belcourt will seek the French public trustee post, and Norman Bethune will run for the Catholic DSB trustee position.
Those planning to run for a seat on Meaford’s council, or for school board trustee have until 2 pm on September 12 to file their paperwork with the Clerk.
Other important things to know about this year’s municipal election:
Who can vote?
Any person who meets the following qualifications is eligible to vote:
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Is a Canadian citizen.
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Is at least 18 years old on Election day.
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Resides in the municipality or is the owner or tenant of land in the local municipality, or the spouse of such a person. For school boards, you must reside in the area of jurisdiction of the board and can only vote once in the jurisdiction area of the board.
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Any person not prohibited by law from voting.
Who can’t vote?
The Municipal Elections Act, 1996 prohibits the following individuals from voting:
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Any person who is not a qualified voter, and:
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A person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution.
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A corporation.
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A person acting as executor or trustee.
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A person who has been convicted of corrupt practices under the Municipal Elections Act (1996) in the last four years.
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Anyone who is prohibited by law from voting.
Enumeration
Have You Moved?
Llook for the 2014 Municipal Enumeration Form in the mail between April and June 2014, and return the form to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation as soon as possible. Municipal enumerations are conducted by MPAC in order to prepare a Preliminary List of Electors for each municipality and school board during an election year. If you have moved since the last election or have not confirmed your citizenship through MPAC you may not be on the list.
You can visit MPAC’s website or call:
1 866 296-MPAC (6722)
When can I vote?
The Municipality of Meaford is using telephone/internet voting methods for the 2014 Municipal Election.
Under the voting method, advance voting will be continuous from Friday, October 17, 2014 until election day, Monday, October 27, 2014.
Voters will have up to 8 p.m. on Election day to submit their ballot on Monday, October 27, 2014.
No, Proxy Voting is not permitted. You can vote conveniently using telephone/internet during the voting period.
Which school board?
Each elector is eligible to vote for school board representation, if qualified. It is important that electors check their status on the voters list to determine whether they have been listed as an elector for the correct school board and if not correctly listed, that they apply to the Clerk to amend the list prior to voting.
The following is a list of the school boards for which qualified electors will be entitled to vote unless there are acclamations. Non-resident electors will be entitled to vote for school boards if their qualifying property is residential. Non-residential commercial or industrial property electors are not eligible to vote for school boards but are entitled to vote for other municipal officers or questions.
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Bluewater District Public English Language
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Bruce-Grey District Catholic English Language
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French Language Public
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French Language Separate
How do I find out if I’m on the voter’s list?
From September 2, 2014, you have several ways to confirm if you are on the Voters’ List:
Using the look up tool on the municipal website,
By calling the municipal office at 519-538-1060, or
Attending at 21 Trowbridge Street West, Meaford, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
