Voters across British Columbia headed to the polls today, Oct. 20, to choose a mayor, council and other leaders in local government.
Polls were open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. PT:
City of Nanaimo
In the City of Nanaimo, voters will elect a mayor and eight councillors. Voting takes place at: Bowen Park activity centre, Chase River Elementary School, City of Nanaimo Service and Resource Centre, Coal Tyee Elementary School, Departure Bay Activity Centre, Georgia Avenue Elementary School, McGirr Elementary School, Nanaimo Alliance Church, Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, Randerson Ridge Elementary and Wellington Community Hall. Note that at Protection Island Fire Hall, voting hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
For more information about voting in the City of Nanaimo, click here.
Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools
For the Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools board of trustees, voters will elect nine candidates. Voting locations are the same as above, as well as Cedar Elementary School and South Wellington School for Area A, Gabriola Elementary School for Area B, Extension Community Hall and Pleasant Valley Social Centre for Area C, Nanoose Place for Area E, Frank Jameson Community Centre in the Town of Ladysmith, Costin Hall for Lantzville, Chemainus Elementary School for Area G and North Oyster Elementary School for Area H.
For more information about the Nanaimo Ladysmith school trustee election, click here.
District of Lantzville
In the District of Lantzville, a mayor and four councillors will be elected. Voting takes place at Costin Hall.
For more information about the District of Lantzville election, click here.
Regional District of Nanaimo
In the Regional District of Nanaimo, Area A, Area B, Area F, Area G and Area H will elect one director each. North Cedar Elementary School and Nanaimo Cranberry Fire Department are voting places for Area A, Gabriola Elementary School for Area B and Gabriola Island Local Trust Area, Bradley Centre in Coombs for Area F, St. Columba Presbyterian Church Hall in Parksville for Area G and Lighthouse Community Centre in Qualicum Beach for Area F and Area H.
For more information about voting in Regional District of Nanaimo areas, click here.
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WEB POLL: Have you voted? https://t.co/mvBF0pYk0f #Nanaimo #nanelxn pic.twitter.com/dRUQsQcNcw
— Nanaimo Bulletin (@NanaimoBulletin) October 20, 2018
Who is running for mayor?
There are three candidates for mayor in both the City of Nanaimo and the District of Lantzville. In Nanaimo, Ray Farmere, Don Hubbard and Leonard Krog are the mayoral candidates. In Lantzville, Bob Colclough, Stan Pottie and Mark Swain are seeking the mayor’s chair.
To read interviews with all mayoral candidates, click the links above. To read questionnaire responses from Farmere, Hubbard, Krog, Colclough and Swain, click here.
Who is running for council?
There are 40 people running for Nanaimo city council and 10 candidates for Lantzville. For links to interviews, click here. To read questionnaire responses, click here.
Who is running for school board?
There are 20 candidates vying for seats on the Nanaimo Ladysmith school board. Every candidate submitted questionnaire responses to the News Bulletin, which can be found at this link.
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Wondering where to #vote in #Nanaimo and area for @sd68bc, @RDNanaimo, @cityofnanaimo and @DOLantzville in #nanelxn18 on #Oct20, 2018? #bcpoli #Election2018: https://t.co/5u4J283pU4
— Karl Yu (@KarlYuBulletin) October 18, 2018
Further reading:
For all of our stories on the municipal election, visit http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/municipal-election.
The News Bulletin attended 10 voter information events in October:
SD68 candidates make last pitch prior to election
Candidates make their case to be part of Nanaimo’s next council
Nanaimo council candidates talk about public consultation and branding the city
Candidates talk economic development and other priorities at meet and greet
City council candidates take on regional themes at town hall
Mayoral candidates debate their visions for leadership in Nanaimo
School budget debated at all-candidates’ meeting for Nanaimo trustee hopefuls
Candidates ponder affordable housing and homelessness
Candidates talk waterfront planning, supportive housing at south-end debate
Five-candidates’ meeting held in north Nanaimo
The News Bulletin partnered with the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce and the Our Nanaimo voter engagement group to present four guest columns encouraging people to participate in the democratic process:
OPINION: It’s important that we exercise our right to vote
OPINION: Look beyond candidates’ catchphrases
OPINION: Let’s vote in a council that sees Nanaimo’s potential
OPINION: This election is Nanaimo’s most important ever
Check out our website and Facebook page for full coverage of the results starting at 8 p.m. PT. Bookmark www.nanaimobulletin.com and follow the News Bulletin and reporters Karl Yu, Nicholas Pescod and Chris Bush on Twitter.