CARROT RIVER — Carrot River residents will be able to vote by mail-in ballots during the upcoming municipal election to decide the town’s future councilors and mayor.
Kevin Trew, Carrot River’s administrator, said council’s decision was impacted by two factors: the pandemic and an opportunity to vote for residents who are not in town at the time of the election.
“We’re hoping that the procedure around mail-in ballots will help mitigate the risk of transference of any viruses,” Trew said. “The voter is not going to be around any crowds, and has a very low risk activity to vote.”
While this was one of the reasons, Trew said council and administration were approached by residents who wished to cast a ballot but will be unable to be in town during the election on Nov. 9, as well as the advance poll date.
“Those are often very close together, even though we try to have an advance poll on the alternate day of the week that would work for people to vote. Sometimes people are away for both those days, so the mail-in ballot is another option.”
To request a mail-in ballot, a resident can go to the town office during any business hours and register.
“Then we would mail the ballot to you, and you would mail the ballot back in.”
A vote will only occur if there are more candidates than positions.
Another change passed by council in their July meeting, is that criminal record checks will no longer be required to run for the positions.
A criminal record check will be required for elected officials after the election.
