Manitobans head to the polls as municipal election wraps up

Alison Ivey has never missed voting in an election.

Shortly after 8 a.m., she lined up at Strathmillan School, in Silver Heights, to cast her vote on the final day of the Manitoba municipal election.

Ivey, 69, said she’s hopeful Winnipeg will choose the right people to serve the city. Homelessness was the biggest issue for Ivey when deciding who she would select on the ballot.

“I think it’s a shame in this day and age that we still that problem. It should have been addressed years ago,” she said.

Across the province today, residents in more than 130 municipalities will pick their next mayors, reeves, councillors and school board trustees. Election locations in Winnipeg will be open until 8 p.m. across the city’s 184 voting sites.

Incumbent Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham also cast his ballot at Strathmillan School Wednesday morning.

He said he tries to keep his final day of campaigning “as normal as possible,” beginning with a mug of black coffee and a plate of scrambled eggs and toast.

Before heading to his campaign office, Gillingham planned to take his dog for a walk and do some chores around the house.

“I’m grateful to live in a country where we still have this democratic process and where people can put their name forward, and I’m very grateful for everyone who put their name forward today,” he said.

Leading mayoral rival Kevin Klein voted at Charleswood’s Westdale School. Although Klein said he didn’t have superstitions, he quipped he was trying to avoid doing anything similar to the final day of the 2022 mayoral vote, where he finished third.

He began his day at home answering emails over a cup of coffee. Klein said he will run errands with his wife and then join supporters in the evening to watch the results roll in.

“I chatted with my wife about what the day is going to be like and what tonight might feel like. I’m feeling good,” he said.

There are 10 other candidates vying for mayor. They include Mike Vogiatzaki, Noah Redden, Don Woodstock, Umar Hayat, Chris Clacio, Tracey Drexler, Johnny Calderon, Joshua Pagdato, Brad Gross and Mazher Alam.

Corey Picknicki, a retired social studies teacher, also voted at Westdale School.

He spent the weeks leading up to the election researching candidates online, taking special interest in the school trustee race.

For Picknicki, it’s important to have trustees who are either former teachers or have a background in the public school system.

“It is my civic duty to go out there and vote, as I’ve taught all of my students over the years,” the 60-year-old said.

Crime and road conditions influenced his vote in this election. Picknicki said he’s pleased there are many candidates running for mayor, city council and school trustee because it’s disappointing when people are acclaimed to positions.

A record number of Winnipeg voters have already participated in advance voting, which was available Oct. 5-23.

The total number of residents casting their vote at advance polling stations was 50,767, a 21 per cent jump from 41,895 people during the 2022 election, the city said in a news release on Friday.

A single-day advance voting location record of 1,879 votes was set on Oct. 16 at the St. Vital Centre location.

In the 2022 municipal election, 195,530 Winnipeg residents voted, according to city data.

Voters in Winnipeg Beach, Dunnottar and Victoria Beach held elections in July.

matt.frank@winnipegfreepress.com