St. Catharines residents eager to vote early had the chance to do so starting on Tuesday, with additional opportunities on the horizon. The city’s website announced that the initial advance polls opened at the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. On the official election day of October 26, there will be three polling stations in each of the city’s six wards operating from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voters have the flexibility to cast their ballots at any of the eight advance polling locations, although it is common for most to vote in their respective wards on election day. Accessible ballot marking devices will be exclusively available at the advance polls. The upcoming advance poll locations and dates are as follows:
1. St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre at 1932 Welland Canals Parkway on October 6 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
2. Armenian Community Centre at 156 Martindale Rd. on October 8 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
3. Election Office at 80 King St., Unit 6, on October 13-16 and 19-23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
4. St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatic Centre at 425 Carlton St. on October 14 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
5. Market Square at 91 King St. will offer drive-thru and walk-up voting on October 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
6. Grantham Lions Club at 732 Niagara St. on October 20 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
7. St. Catharines Public Library’s Merritt Branch at 221 Glendale Ave. on October 22 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
8. Grantham Optimist Club at 188 Linwell Rd. on October 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The city has indicated that applications for voting by mail are now closed. Voters are allowed to choose one mayoral candidate and up to two ward councillor candidates. The number of school board trustee candidates that can be voted for varies based on the ward and school board. It is mandatory for all voters to present acceptable identification.