When are the 2010 Municipal Elections?

Monday, October 25, 2010 is Election Day. Voting places will be open from 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

What are the dates of Advance Voting?

If you are unable to vote on Election Day or if another date is more convenient you may vote on one of the Advance Voting Days.

Advance Voting will be available at the City of Port Colborne Municipal Offices (City Hall):

• October 16, 2010, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and
• October 20, 2010, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Who can vote in the Municipal Elections?

A qualified elector must be:

• 18 years of age;
• Canadian Citizen;
• Resident of Port Colborne or if you or your spouse, or same-sex partner are a non-resident but are an owner or tenant of property in the City and do not live elsewhere in the City; and
• Not otherwise prohibited from voting under any law.

If you are not a resident of the City of Port Colborne, to vote for a School Board Trustee, you must be:

• An owner or tenant of a residential property in the area of jurisdiction of the school board and who does not support any other school board.  School board support can be verified by checking the Voters' List.

What offices are we voting for?

• 1 Mayor;
• 2 Ward Councillors in your ward;
• 1 Regional Councillor; and
• 1 School Board Trustee (English Public, English Separate, French Public or French Separate).

 
Will I be required to show identification when I vote?

Yes. An elector is required to present the prescribed proof of identity and residence or complete an application in the prescribed form, including a statutory declaration that he or she is the elector shown on the Voters' List. In addition, please bring your Voter Notification Card to the polling place. 

View the list of acceptable forms of identification.

Please note that your voter notification card cannot be used as identification.

 
Why should I vote in this election?

Voting is important. Your vote makes a difference. By voting in the Municipal Elections, you are helping to set the future direction of the City of Port Colborne and the Region of Niagara.

Municipal government provides the day-to-day services you count on - from fire and emergency services, to clean water and parks, to museums and public libraries.

City Council decides how your property tax dollars are spent and establishes the level and range of municipal services available in your community. Your vote does make a difference.

Voting for your school board trustee is also important. Trustees decide how best to meet the needs of students by administering the building and maintenance of schools, hiring the teachers and staff needed to run them, and authorizing spending on educational programs and initiatives.

How can I check if my name is on the Voters' List?

The Voters' List will be available for reviewing from September 7, 2010 until October 25, 2010 in the Office of the Clerk at the Municipal Offices, 66 Charlotte Street, during normal business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday).

You should check the Voters' List to ensure that your name, address and school support designation is listed correctly.

 
How do I add my name or amend my personal information on the Voters' List?

If your name is not on the Voters' List or the information is incorrect, you can fill out an "Application to Amend the Voters' List", available at the Port Colborne Municipal Offices. If your name is not on the Voters' List, make the application to have it added before Election Day. This will help to make the voting process quicker for you and others.

You can also add your name to the Voters' List on Election Day at the voting place where you are to go and vote. If you are a qualified elector, you can add your name to the Voters' List by filling out an "Application to Amend the Voter's List" at your voting place. If you have changed your address, name, or school support, you can also make these changes when you go to vote.

If you are a qualified elector you will be required to complete the application and provide the prescribed form of identification.

 
If I own more than one property in Port Colborne, can I vote more than once?

No. You can vote only once for the offices of Mayor, Councillor, Regional Councillor and School Board Trustee. Your qualifying address, where your name will be on the Voters' List, will be determined by your primary residence.

 
Can a person who is homeless or who has no fixed address vote?

Yes. Eligible voters who are homeless, or without a permanent home or fixed address, can vote. Their qualifying address will be determined by the place:

• to which they most frequently returned to sleep or eat during the five weeks prior to the election, since this is considered to be their residence; or
• where they returned to sleep, if they returned with equal frequency to one place to sleep and another to eat.

 
Will I be notified of where and when to vote?

Yes. In early October, Voter Notification Cards will be sent to all households present on the Voters' List informing persons when and where they may vote.

Please note that voting places may have changed since the last election, so please check this notice carefully.

 
What should I do if I have lost my Voter Notification Card?

Contact the Office of the City Clerk (905-835-2900) to have our staff locate your address and advise you of the voting place.

 
Are all voting locations accessible for persons with disabilities?

In accordance with subparagraph 45 (2) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, "each voting place is accessible to electors with disabilities."

 
Can I get a copy of the Voters' List?

No. Under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, the City can only provide copies of the Voters' List to candidates, MPs and MPPs; however, you can review the list at Port Colborne Municipal Offices and at the Port Colborne Public Library.

 
Who are the candidates?

You can view the most current list of candidates for the offices of Mayor, Councillors, Regional Councillor and School Board Trustees on Port Colborne's Web site. You can also contact the Municipal Offices by phone at (905) 835-2900 or in person and we will provide you with a list of the nominated candidates.

View the unofficial list of registered candidates.

 
Where can I get election results?

At the close of voting on October 25, 2010, the totals from all the voting locations will be compiled. These results will then be displayed at Port Colborne Municipal Offices and on the City's Web site. If you would like to see the results from the 2003 and 2006 Municipal Elections, they are currently available on the City's Web site.

Results of the 2003 and 2006 Municipal Elections

View the results of the 2010 Election.

 
How can I find out if my Ward has changed?

A ward boundary review has been conducted and minor changes have been made to wards 2 and 4 of the City of Port Colborne. View the Ward Maps - Elections 2010. If you have questions you can contact the Municipal Offices at (905) 835-2900.

View the Ward/Poll maps.