Pelham Ward One voters looking to cast their ballot before Election Day on September 15, 2020, can do so at the first advance poll on Thursday, September 3, from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Polls are located at Fire Station #2 (766 Welland Road Fenwick) and Fire Station #3 (2355 Cream Street North Pelham). It is suggested, to ease the number of people at the polls at any given time, that residents with even house numbers cast their ballot at the first advance poll. Residents with odd numbered homes are encouraged to cast their vote at the second advance poll on September 12.

If you did not receive a voter information notice or card, contact the Clerk’s office to ensure you’re on the voter’s list. In the absence of a voter information notice or card, provided you are in the correct polling location, if your name appears on the registered list, the following documents are some acceptable forms of identification:

• Ontario driver’s licence
• Ontario health card (if your name and address are printed on the card)
• Mortgage, lease, or rental agreement
• Insurance policy
• Credit card statement
• Bill for hydro, water, gas, telephone, internet
• A document issued from the government of Canada, Ontario or a municipality in Ontario, or an agency from such a government

A Canadian passport is not an acceptable identification document because you write your address inside your passport yourself.

The Town has taken every  will employ several new election positions, including a physical distancing officer to help guide and remind voters of spatial requirements, a poll station cleaner to ensure readily available and consistent cleaning of high touch points and ballot casting areas, and a health assessment officer who will screen electors as they enter the polling station.

Additional measures in place include:

Entry and Exit

There will be separate entry and exit points at the polling stations. Electors will be guided through the pre-determined lines by election staff. Electors are asked to immediately vacate the polling station area after voting to minimize the risk of gatherings.

Face coverings

Under the Regional mandatory mask bylaw, those entering the polling station are required to wear a face covering. It is asked that electors bring their own masks, however, there will be masks available for those who require them.

Hand sanitizer

Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the voting location and electors are encouraged to use it before and after voting.

Physical Distancing

Signage, floor stickers, and guidance from the Physical Distancing Officer will be prevalent at all voting locations. There is a maximum number of people permitted in the polling station at a time and all electors are asked to remain two metres apart at all times. Election staff will also remain two metres apart from one another at all times.

Voting

Electors will vote in alternating voting booths. There will be six in total. The first round of voters will go to booths 1, 3, and 5. As the second round of voters goes to booths 2,4, and 6, the alternate booths will be cleaned.

Cleaning

A polling station Cleaning Officer will be on-site to clean voting booths after each elector casts their ballot. The Cleaning Officer will remain distanced from voters to protect the integrity of their vote and will only clean the booth once they have vacated the area and it is safe to do so. The Cleaning Officer will use spray cleaner approved for disinfection and single-use paper towels, continuously wiping down high-touch surfaces, logging their activity throughout the day.

Pens

Each elector will be provided with a pen to cast their vote. They are encouraged to take their pen home with them; however, a disposal bin will be available.

If you fail the screening

If someone fails the screening, they are to contact Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Services at 905-688-8248. Press 7 then 2 to speak with a nurse. Alternatively, they can contact their health care provider. People who fail the screening assessment cannot vote in-person. Proxy voting, and special ballot requests for those directly affected by COVID-19, are available.

A reminder that voters wishing to appoint a voting proxy are encouraged to do so during the advance voting dates to allow for the additional time required to process the proxy.

To appoint a voting proxy, voters must complete the Appointment for Voting Proxy form. The form is available online or at Town Hall and must be certified by the Clerk’s Office. The proxy must be an eligible Ward One resident.

For more information on the 2020 Ward One by-election, visit: www.pelham.ca/by-election-2020.