As of 4:00 pm on Thursday, October 8, there are a total of 13 people seeking representation roles in the Town of Outlook, all of whom will be looking for the vote of residents in next month’s municipal election.
Two people are in the race for mayor: Maureen Weiterman and Ross Derdall. Weiterman, retired, is a former councillor and was the first to submit her nomination papers. Derdall, retired, is the current mayor of Outlook and has served in that role since 2016.
Making up the list of 11 people running for the six available seats on Outlook’s town council are the following:
Kevin Grotheim (seeking re-election)
Kyle McLeod (seeking re-election)
Justin Turton (new)
Thelma McPherson (new)
Ward McNichol (new)
Lyle Rankin (new)
Bob Stephenson (new)
Rick Pederson (new)
Jill Lee (new)
Ryan Husband (new)
Sharon Bruce (new)
Those who serve on the current town council and are not seeking re-election are Donna Smith, Floyd Childerhose, Maureen Applin, and David Simonson.
The Town of Outlook’s website (townofoutlook.ca) includes a subsection dedicated to the election, which can be accessed by selecting ‘Town’ at the top of the page and clicking ‘Election’ from the drop-down menu. The Town also has an email address that they’re asking people to use if they have any questions related to the election at [email protected].
With the election season coming during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of everyone. The Town says that election workers will be wearing masks, and voters who attend polling stations are also being asked to wear a mask. Information on COVID measures will be updated on a regular basis as planning for the election progresses, so keep an eye on the Town’s website for further updates in that regard.
As well, a mail-in ballot voting system will be made available for those who would prefer to vote by mail. Voters can begin to apply for the mail-in option starting on Saturday, October 10 and must complete a voter’s registration form and declaration. Keep an eye on the election section of the Town's website for downloadable forms and information.
If one chooses the mail-in option, a ballot package will be mailed to the voter. It will contain a ballot, how-to instructions on filling out the ballot package, and a return envelope. In order for a mail-in vote to be counted, it must be received by the Returning Officer by 8:00 pm on Election Night, either by mail to the Town or delivered to the polling station.
There are two options for applying for a mail-in ballot, either in-person at the town office until October 30 at 4:00, or electronically by the same deadline by downloading the information from the Town website.
Stay tuned to the pages of The Outlook as we intend to run a special candidate Q&A section in an upcoming issue.
Residents in communities across the province will go to the polls for the municipal election on Monday, November 9.
*Article has been revised to reflect updated information regarding mail-in ballots*
