8 FOCUS - SEPTEMBER 2018 WHO SHOULD I VOTE FOR? Scugog Township’s roster of candidates for the 2018 municipal election provides a lot of choice for you as the voter. People from all walks of life have filed their nomi- nation papers because they care about their community, want to represent you, and make important decisions at the council table on your behalf. The million-dollar question is, which candidate should you choose? Sometimes people do not vote because they simply don’t know who to vote for. Who would be the best advocate? Who would make common sense budget de- cisions? Who has the background or experience to well equip them to take on the challenges of the job? Who agrees with you on important local issues? Thanks to today’s technology, it’s easy to do a little research about your municipal election candidates. Most have websites, election Facebook pages and/or Twitter. There will be brochures at your door, in the mail and some advertisements in local publications. So, if you cannot attend the all-candidates’ meeting because it’s your kid’s soccer night, you can still “meet the candidates” online to help you form an educated opinion on the best choices for your new municipal lead- ers. Candidates also welcome phone calls and messages. They want to connect with you to get their platforms across. Contact information for municipal election candi- dates appears on the Scugog Election 2018 page on line. Voting is a democratic right and a privilege, and yes, your vote counts! You can vote if you are a resident, or owner or tenant of land in the township of Scugog, a Canadian citizen, age 18 or older, and not prohibited from voting by law. If you moved since the last municipal election four years ago, your info may need to be updated. Check to ensure that your correct name and address appears on the voters list at voterlookup.ca. You can make corrections online or fill out a form to be submitted to the Clerk’s department at the township office, 181 Perry St., Port Perry. After the official voters list is received from MPAC on September 4, revisions can be made, said Municipal Clerk and Returning Officer John Paul (J. P.) Newman. You should receive your mail-in ballots the first week of October. J.P. described vote-by-mail as “convenient and accessible.” Mail-in ballots were first established in Scugog Township for the 2000 municipal election. Local voters will be able to mark their ballots for Scugog Township Mayor and Regional Councillor, their local Ward Councillor, the Regional Chair and one School Board Trustee. There are five wards in the township of Scugog. Not sure what ward you live in? The ward map is on the next page and on the Scugog Election 2018 page on line. AM I ON THE VOTERS LIST? Choose your Municipal Leaders in the 2018 Election ! ! ! Make your plans to 158 Casimir Street, Port Perry • 905-985-2268 jean.scott@marlintravel.ca MC TICO #4577532 on your 10 year work anniversary! (another milestone!) JEAN