Nomination deadline for Regina municipal election officially closed

The deadline for nomination submissions for the Oct. 26 municipal election officially closed at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

However, according to returning officer Jim Nicol, candidates aren’t completely locked in just yet.

Nicol said despite the nomination submission deadline, all candidates will have until Thursday 4 p.m. to decide if they still want to run or can choose to withdraw their name from the list.

“Candidates who have already put in their nomination may rethink it now, or something has come up,” Nicol said.

“They have 24 hours to take their name off the ballot.”

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Nicol said withdrawals do not happen often but have in the past. Earlier this week, Rob Allin withdrew his bid for mayor.

Incumbent Barbara Young was mostly uncontested in her ward — up until an hour before deadline when Robert Burnett entered the race as councillor hopeful in Ward 5.

Young said it was a scenario she was prepared for.

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“I have everything ready to go, things to mail signs to put up if I’m going to be running against someone,” she explained.

As of early Wednesday afternoon, Findura was the only candidate running in Ward 5. But like Young, a last minute entry means he will still have to campaign.

Findura said he is up to the task for the job he calls challenging at times but said he will continue to be that middle man between residents and the city.

“You still answer phones, and you’re still mitigating the issues and being the middle man for the citizens. That’s what it’s about, being the middle man,” Findura explained.

There are currently five candidates running for top spot. Candidates will be up against incumbent Michael Fougere.

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In the 2012 municipal election, voter turnout was a low 33 per cent. According to Nicol, there are few changes to this year’s election. He did note that there are a few different polling stations across the city.

Nicol said the city is very cognizant of citizens’ accessibility to vote.

“Two have changed from 2012 just because of accessibility concerns. There was one in the basement of a church and there was no lift,” he explained.

There are a total of 30 polling stations (three in each ward) and four days of advanced polling between Oct. 19-Oct.22. Election day is Oct. 26.