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Strong, steady turnout from Nanaimo community in early referendum vote

Mar 2, 2017 | 3:28 PM

NANAIMO — Voting in the event centre referendum is underway with a strong turnout so far.

According to chief elections officer Sheila Gurrie, just shy of 1,100 people cast their ballot in the first of two advanced polls on March 1 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.

Gurrie said it’s a “healthy” number and they expect a similar result from the second advanced poll on March 8, also at the conference centre.

Though conversation about the event centre has been fiery at times, Gurrie said it was a drama-free day.

“You could tell people were passionate,” she said. “It was a good vibe, everything went smoothly (and) there was no discourse. It was a really great day.”

First day voting nearly matched the total number of advanced poll votes from the 2011 civic election, where roughly 1,600 votes were cast for mayor.

In 2014, more than 2,200 votes for mayor were cast in the advanced poll. The event centre referendum is expected to reach a similar number after the second and final advanced poll.

General voting day in the referendum is March 11.

 

spencer.sterritt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit