Voters are heading to the polls today for the 2022 municipal election. This year residents were offered three options on how to vote, online, in-person and drive thru, which took place last week. City Clerk Krista Power says turnout so far has been comparable to previous years, with a majority thus far using the online option.

“We had a huge turnout on internet voting yesterday, people were preparing for today. So as of today 22% of The City of Thunder Bay has voted prior to the opening of polls this morning.” Power says those numbers are great to see.

Earlier this month an issue cropped up with the online voting system, however it was quickly identified and corrected. Power says there have been no other issues to date.

Many city employees and volunteers are running this year’s election, save for one member of city staff. City Manager Norm Gale, who is in an observer role, to make sure the election is a successful one.

He says council will definitely be looking different after tonight for the next four years and he is looking forward to working closely with all the members of the new council.

“We know that because of the slate, right, of who is running. But really it only matters that those thirteen, to me anyway, that those thirteen are committed, they’re convicted, and they’re serious about making solid decisions for people who live here and work here.”

Polls are open until 8pm tonight, and Acadia News will be airing special election coverage tonight both on the airwaves and online.