Vote Notes: Wednesday, September 12, 2018
A digest of what's going on in London's municipal election
Hear from your ward candidates:
Imagine trying to corral 50 competing candidates to get together on 9 separate dates in 12 different locations.
That was the mission facing the Urban League of London, Women and Politics and the London Community Foundation.
But they've done it, and the first of 14 ward race all candidate meetings begin tonight, in Ward 11, at the Landon Branch Library in Wortley Village.
"We will ask a few questions of the candidates and then there will be questions from the audience," said Skylar Franke, vice president of the Urban League.
Sometimes this is what democracy looks like <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ldnvotes?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ldnvotes</a> <a href="https://t.co/FBEmJwMHoE">pic.twitter.com/FBEmJwMHoE</a>
—@SkylarFrankeAbout 10 volunteers worked to figure out which ward debate happened when and where — as well as answering candidate questions.
Franke put together "tool kits" that give volunteers at each of the venues everything they need, from water jugs and reusable cups (the events are trying to stay away from disposable water bottles) to candidate names, ward maps and ranked balloting information.
"The questions we ask run the gamut, everything from environmental issues to harassment in the workplace," Franke said.
One question is about rapid transit, but the rest are about a broad range of issues that affect the city. Audience members can then ask ward-specific questions.
Tomorrow's debate is at the Bostwick Community Centre, for Ward 10. Click here for the full list.
Accessible voting?
Accessible voting devices are available at all advanced poll locations.
They include headphones to hear the ballot read aloud, a hand-held vote selector with Braille and large buttons, sip and puff assistive devices and audio confirmation of the votes selected.
Advanced polls open October 4 and run in a number of locations on select days, until Oct. 13.