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Snowstorm forced closure, relocation of dozens of Manitoba advance election polls

The snowstorm that hit Manitoba this week not only caused damage to homes, vehicles, and power lines and closed highways — it's also forced a handful of federal election advance polling stations in Winnipeg to relocate, and closed many others around the province.

Elections Canada says displaced Manitobans can still vote before Oct. 15 by special ballot

CBC News ·
The advance voting poll at Norquay Community Centre in Winnipeg was relocated to 413 McPhillips St. on Saturday, following the severe snowstorm that hit the province. At least two other Winnipeg advance polls were relocated, and several outside the city were closed on Saturday. (Jeff Stapleton/CBC)

The snowstorm that hit Manitoba this week not only caused damage to homes, vehicles, and power lines and closed highways — it's also forced a handful of federal election advance polling stations in Winnipeg to relocate, and closed many others around the province.

Advance polling stations at the Sergeant Tommy Prince Community Centre and the Norquay Community Centre moved to 413 McPhillips St., an Elections Canada spokesperson told CBC News Saturday. By Sunday, the original polling locations were back up and running.

And the St. Vital/St. Boniface polling station at Club Eclipse '79 on de la Cathedrale Avenue was moved to the Notre Dame Community Centre at 271 de la Cathedrale.

The Charleswood-St.James-Assiniboia-Headingley polling station at Woodhaven Park Community Centre was closed Saturday afternoon and was unreachable on Sunday, according to Elections Canada.

Evacuated people can still vote

Meanwhile, several advance polls in the ridings of Brandon-Souris, Churchill-Keewatinook Aski, Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa, Portage-Lisgar and Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman were closed Sunday, according to Elections Canada's website.

"The chief electoral officer has authorized the close or delayed opening of certain polling places in Manitoba due to winter conditions and power outages. Before heading to a polling place, make sure it is safe to do so," the website says.

Marie-France Kenny, a regional media advisor for Elections Canada says people planning to vote in advance polls Sunday or Monday should check the Elections Canada website to find their polling station, then call that office to make sure it's open.

Kenny said evacuees can still vote in advance polls by special ballot before Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. by calling 1-866-294-6760 or visit the website to find which office is closest.

"We still want people to be heard and voice their opinions in this election," she said.

Advance voting ahead of the Oct. 21 federal election began on Friday. Advance polls are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day from now until Oct. 14 at assigned polling stations.

Corrections

  • An earlier version of this story said that advance voting began on Wednesday. In fact, it began on Friday.
    Oct 12, 2019 5:24 PM CT
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