Polls open today for Prince George residents ready to cast their ballots in this year's local government elections.
Advance voting will be available at city hall for 12 hours beginning at 8 a.m. in the building's second-floor conference room for eligible voters to elect a mayor, eight city councillors and seven School District 57 board trustees.
Electors can also have their say in the referendum soliciting feedback on whether the city should continue to fluoridate its water supply.
For those outside of the city boundary, advance voting is available at the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George office at 155 George St. between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to elect directors for Electoral Area F, Electoral Area H and the Bear Lake Community Commission. Advance voting is also available at the Valemount and McBride village offices during the same time period for the Electoral Area H director ballots.
The city and regional district use same-day registration. In order to cast a ballot, eligible voters must present two pieces of identification proving identity and place of residence, one of which must include a signature. Acceptable pieces include a B.C. drivers licence, Care Card, credit or debit card, Canadian passport, property tax notice, certificate of Indian status or a current utility bill with the elector's name and address.
For those who aren't ready to make their mark, the Prince George Construction Association and Canadian Home Builders' Association of Northern B.C. are hosting an all-candidates' forum tonight at the Ramada hotel. The evening includes cocktails and dinner, with the actual forum beginning at 7:30 p.m.
On Thursday night, beginning at 7:30 in UNBC's Canfor Theatre, mayoral candidates Lyn Hall and Don Zurowski will face off in an event hosted by The Citizen, CKPG, UNBC and Prince George Chamber of Commerce. Moderated by political science professor and Citizen columnist Tracy Summerville, Hall and Zurowski will have the opportunity to debate each other on a variety of topics.
For those who can't make it or want to relive the action, the debate will be recorded for broadcast by CKPG on Nov. 11.
