Voter turnout in first hours down from 2014 civic election, city says

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This article was published 23/10/2018 (2258 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Fewer people voted in the civic election as of 10 a.m., compared with the last election in 2014, the City of Winnipeg says.

In a media release, the city said 20,338 ballots had been cast today at 193 locations, compared with 23,683 ballots cast by 10 a.m. in the previous civic election.

Polls opened at 8 a.m. and are open until 8 p.m.

Eligible voters can cast ballots for mayor, city councillors, school trustees and vote yes or no on opening Portage and Main to pedestrians.

The City of Winnipeg is asking people to take the voter’s notices it mailed out with them to the polling station. Valid identification is required.

Click here to find out where you vote:

https://winnipeg.ca/Clerks/election/election2018/Registration/WhereDoIVote.stm#where-do-i-vote

The two frontrunners in the mayoral race cast their ballots at separate locations this morning.

Mayor Brian Bowman voted at École Charleswood School with his wife, Tracy, and their two children, each parent taking a son with them to turn the democratic right into a teachable moment.

He later told reporters voting day is a time when politicians stop talking and start listening.

“I’m encouraging all Winnipeggers to get out and exercise your vote,” he said. “It’s a day we’ve been looking forward to for many, many months. We’ve been working very hard to earn the confidence of Winnipeggers to serve as Winnipeg’s 43rd mayor.”

Mayoral candidate Jenny Motkaluk held her daughter’s hand and wore a broad smile when she showed up at St. Mary’s Academy with her husband to vote later Wednesday morning.

Emily Motkaluk-Sprague, 9, took in the voting experience before heading back to school.

“She’ll be a little late this morning,” Motkaluk said, adding she planned to spend the rest of the morning with her husband, Trevor Sprague, and then “wait for Winnipeg to make its decision.”

“I have to tell you I’m so proud of my team and the campaign we ran,” she added.