Here's what you need to know to vote Oct. 22 in Whitchurch-Stouffville

Polls are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 22

Yorkregion.com
October 17, 2018
Simon Martin

Campaign signs, debates, flyers: election season is coming to an end Monday, Oct. 22.

That’s when Whitchurch-Stouffville voters will head to the polls to determine the next council.

Exercising the right to vote is not something to take lightly for resident Sal Amenta. He was a part of group of residents that attempted to get voter turnout above 50 per cent in the 2014 election through the Stouffville Sun-Tribune’s community links panels. The group spent more than a year organizing and hosting 10 candidate meetings in two months, trying to get 50 per cent of eligible voters to the polls.

In the end, they fell short just shy of their goal at 45 per cent voter turnout.

“I think it is absolutely important that people vote,” Amenta said. “People don’t seem to think municipal election are as important as federal or provincial and that’s kind of sad."

The race for mayor in Whitchurch-Stouffville is one of the most interesting in Ontario as incumbent Justin Altmann faces off against challengers Keith Acton, Anand Date and Iain Lovatt. Altmann has come under fire throughout the term for multiple violations of the town’s code of conduct and an infamous mind map on his washroom wall.  An important note for voters is that while Phil Bannon’s name will be on the ballot, he withdrew from the race in August and is not seeking the office of mayor.

One of the most interesting councillor races is in Ward 5, which is a vacant seat after Lovatt decided to run for Mayor. Ward 5 residents will have to choose between six candidates including Steve Downs, Mike Humphreys, Rose Pizzulo, Richard Bartley, Jenny Altmann and Garland Zheng.

There is also Ward 6, where incumbent Rob Hargrave is taking on former mayor and councillor Sue Sherban and Bryan Stott.

In Ward 4, incumbent Rick Upton faces Brian Sankarsingh and James Liaros. In Ward 3, incumbent Hugo Kroon goes up against Keith Singer and Stephen Rogers. In Ward 2, incumbent Maurice Smith faces off against Ellen Gowland. In Ward 1, Ken Ferdinands goes up against Kesha Wint and Elizabeth Johnston.

In the race for York Region District School Board trustee, Lena Singh goes up against Elizabeth Terrell-Tracey. For the York Catholic Board, Elizabeth Crowe faces Paul de Roos and Laura Ronco. For the Conseil scolaire Viamonde trustee, François Guérin goes against Karine Ricard. For the Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir trustee, Kathleen Beal faces Maxime Papillon.

On election day, voters can cast their ballot at their designated polling station, which is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Residents can find their polling station by visiting the town’s website or going to https://elections.townofws.ca/en/voters/voters.aspx.

There are 16 different locations for casting a ballot. When casting a ballot, voters must present a document showing their name and qualifying address.