Political science expert: Voter turnout will be a challenge, especially in Kamloops

Polls will be open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm and COVID-19 protocols will be in place.

“You should be registered to vote before you go because it makes the process easier. But if you’re not, it’s no problem to register at the polls, just take your ID with you and you can register to vote at the polls,” Marantz elaborated.

Elections Canada has made it easy for Canadians to vote but political science expert, Dr. Robert Hanlon, says it will probably be difficult to get people out to the polls this year, especially in Kamloops.

“There’s been, more or less, a triple crisis going on between a pandemic, and then forest fires, and the discovery of 215 bodies on the territory, so I believe voters here are quite exhausted,” Hanlon said.

For anyone displaced by a wildfire or out of town, you can apply for a mail-in ballot by 6:00 p.m. on Sept. 14 — and the sooner you apply for that ballot, the better.

“You’ll receive your voting kit in the mail after you apply, you simply fill out the forms, follow what it’s asking you to do — it’s very straight forward — and send it back,” said Marantz.

But if that feels overwhelming, out-of-towners have another option.

“They could also choose to vote at the returning office, because even if you’re outside of your electoral district, you can vote at any Elections Canada office until 6:00 p.m. on September 14.”

More information about voting can be found on your elections card or at Elections.ca.

by Amandalina Letterio

Political science expert: Voter turnout will be a challenge, especially in Kamloops

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