Early voting gave some Niagara-on-the-Lake residents peace of mind, while others saw it as an opportunity to make their voices heard ahead of election day.
During the town’s second advance voting session Saturday, crowds lined up at the NOTL Community Centre to vote, with development, planning and change among their top concerns.
Town staff haven’t reported official turnout numbers at this polling station, but one staff member described the day as very busy.
Dawn Jacot of Old Town described herself as a keener when it comes to voting.
Jacot said she is eager for change in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
“I think we’re locked in, a little clogged up,” she said. “Moving forward is essential. I spent some time in Toronto, so I picked up some tips there.”
Jacot said she has signs supporting Vaughn Goettler on her lawn.
Gayle and Doug Wood, also of Old Town, had environmental concerns at the forefront when they cast their ballots.
“Responsible development is probably the largest concern we have and protection of the environment,” Gayle Wood said.
“That includes the heritage environment that makes this town particularly special.”
Gayle Wood said she felt confident in her choices after researching the candidates.
“We read the portfolios in the special section of The Lake Report. We carefully went over every candidate, and there’s some really good candidates,” she said.
“We made our selection, and hopefully made our selection responsibly, by reading their bios and what their key priorities are for.”
Joanne and Doug McCallum of Old Town opted for advance voting to avoid the rush, but found crowds at the polling station anyway.
“There is a rush in there,” Doug McCallum said.
Joanne McCallum said the couple has always voted early.
“It’s really just in case we can’t get to it. It’s really important for us to vote.”
The McCallums have owned a restaurant in Brampton for 34 years, making patio restrictions an issue they can relate to personally.
In April, council voted against allowing temporary patios on Queen Street during the summer months.
“We actually have a lot of friends and neighbors that come and visit, friends that come and visit us and they don’t want to sit inside,” Joanne said.
She added that the couple owns a condominium in British Columbia, where streets are closed to allow restaurants to extend their patios.
“They have a lot of things that would generate revenue, without impacting,” she said.
Doug McCallum said these solutions would not have to be permanent and could be limited to the summer months.
“There are so many other options.”
Tracy Dalglish was smiling as she left the polling station.
“I love this, this is civics. This is what we all need to do,” she said.
Dalglish thanked town staff and volunteers for giving up their time to facilitate advance voting.
“I think that’s amazing, and democracy at work.”
Barbara Bedell, however, had a less positive experience.
She said her husband was turned away and could not vote because he did not have a voter card.
“They told him, ‘Put your name on the voter’s list.’”
“He’s voted in the past, no problem.”
Sue Broden of St. Davids voted in advance because her daughter had not received a voter card in the mail.
Broden was able to vote in person without any issues. Planning was her top concern.
“Planning for the future and infrastructure,” she said.
Broden said she had difficulty choosing a school board trustee because little information was available about the candidates.
“There was a lot more information available about the councillors and the people running for the [council].”
