Queer Votes Matter in Municipal Elections

Queer Votes matter in the upcoming municipal elections! To help the LGBTQIA2S+ community make informed decisions on how to vote in the upcoming election, we've put together a few resources to support our community.

Official List of Candidates
Official List of Candidates (Whitehorse) 
https://www.whitehorse.ca/city-council/municipal-election-2021/candidates

Official List of Candidates (Watson Lake)
http://www.watsonlake.ca/p/2021-municipal-council-candidates


News Articles on Candidates
CBC: Who's running for mayor and council in Whitehorse and Yukon's communities 
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yukon-municipal-elections-candidates-2021-1.6188672

CBC: Whitehorse Votes: Meet the 17 candidates for city council
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/meet-whitehorse-council-candidates-2021-1.6205151


Watson Lake Voting Information

Voting will take place at the Northern Lights Centre.
Regular Polls (Voting Day) is Thursday, October 21st, 2021 from 8am-8pm.
http://www.watsonlake.ca/p/2021-municipal-council-candidates

For additional information about voting in Watson Lake, please see the Municipal Election Newsletter:
https://watsonlake.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=2021%20Election%20Newsletter(1).pdf


City of Dawson Voting Information

"All individuals meeting the eligibility criteria contained in section 48 of the Municipal Act and wishing to cast a ballot shall be required to register by swearing or affirming the Oath of Elector Eligibility, contained in Appendix A of this bylaw, in the presence of a Deputy Returning Officer." Section 7.02(a) of the 2021 Dawson Municipal Election Bylaw
https://cityofdawson.ca/Home/DownloadDocument?docId=4a6d09a0-5e94-4b94-9880-a79d96a51b7a

City of Dawson Municipal Election
Thursday, October 21, 2021
8:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Art & Margaret Fry Rec Centre
Returning Officer: Charles Brunner
867-689-5490
charles.brunner0@gmail.com
https://www.cityofdawson.ca/

Whitehorse Voting Information
The following information is presented below because it may have direct relevance to voters who may be transitioning or recently transitioned. The information has been copied directly from the City of Whitehorse Election Information page available here:
https://www.whitehorse.ca/city-council/election-2021/information-for-voters

Vote in the upcoming election, Whitehorse!

On October 21, 2021, Whitehorse residents will elect a new Council comprised of a Mayor and six Councillors for a three-year term.

There are several ways to vote in the City of Whitehorse 2021 Municipal Election. They will be available during specific times over the election period. For the first time, Whitehorse electors can register to vote, update their registration information, and apply to vote by mail online.
Voting options:

• By Special Ballot (vote by mail or in person at Special Ballot polls);
• During the Advance Polls in person; and
• On Election Day in person at one of our convenient locations throughout the City.

We encourage all Whitehorse voters to participate. Your vote matters!

Who can vote?

To vote, you must:

• Be a Canadian citizen;
• Be at least 18 years old on Election Day; and
• Have been a Whitehorse resident for at least one year on Election Day.

You'll need to be registered - see all of the easy options to do this.

How do I vote?

You can register in a number of ways for the upcoming election.
We've made it easy and convenient to register early online or in person to speed things along for voters at the polls. But remember, you can still register at all Special Ballot and Advance Polls, and on Election Day right at the voting locations.
Online voter registration closed on Tuesday, September 28 at midnight.
Registration options:

1. Register in person at the polls – either at the advance polls, the special ballot polls or on Election Day.
2. Register when you vote by Special Ballot (in person, or by mail).

Need another option? We have registration forms and assistance available at the City of Whitehorse Elections Office at City Hall. Just contact us for assistance.
To register, you will need:

• Your civic (street) address: registration is based your residential address (such as road or street and house number), not mailing address, (such as PO box). This helps identify eligible electors within the City of Whitehorse municipal boundary. If you're registering online and the information you provide matches the register information, your registration will be confirmed. If you're registering in person, we will check for you. 

• Your identification: this is required to register or change your registration information.
  • If your proof of identity is a copy of your Yukon Driver's License or General Identification Card, only one piece of identification is required if it shows your Date of Birth and provides proof of your Whitehorse residency.
  • Using other authorized proof of identification, two (2) pieces of identification are required.  See the List of authorized identification.  Check that you have the right Identification if you are going to register in person when you vote at any of the polls. 

Need help registering? If you need help to confirm your civic address, please contact us!

ID requirements

In order to vote, you have to prove both your identity and address.
A Yukon driver’s licence or Yukon General Identification card are good examples.
If the address on your Identification is a post office box, please bring another piece of Identification, such as a utility bill to prove you are a resident of the City of Whitehorse.
If you don’t have photo ID, bring two documents that show your name and address, with at least one showing your birthdate. For example, a Health Care card along with a utility bill.
See the List of authorized identification for more information. https://www.whitehorse.ca/home/showpublisheddocument/15333/637660906341600000
No ID? Not sure?  We can still help you vote. Contact the City of Whitehorse Elections Office and we will ensure you have the opportunity. 

Voting by Special Ballot

This year, any eligible voter can vote early by Special Ballot in the City of Whitehorse Municipal Election – no special restrictions apply!
There are a number of options for voting by Special Ballot:

• Vote by mail - return your Special Ballot by mail or drop it off; or
• In person - an ongoing, in-person Special Ballot poll will be open at City Hall from September 29 to October 21 and will be available Monday to Friday (excluding holidays), 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can register and vote right away at the Special Ballot poll, or bring your ballot back when you've completed it.

Secure drop boxes are installed at City Hall and the Canada Games Centre where completed Special Ballots can be dropped off. The secure drop box at City Hall is outside of the Second Avenue entrance, and the secure drop box at the Canada Games Centre is located at the registration desk.
Please note: Special Ballots sent through the mail must be received at City Hall or in a drop box no later than 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 21 in order to be counted.