Where and when to vote in December 9’s hamlet elections

Hamlets across the NWT will be heading to the polls on Monday, December 9 to elect new councillors and, in some cases, new mayors.

The territory’s Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has posted a list of candidates running in each hamlet.

Here’s where and when you can vote in each community.

Aklavik

Voters in Aklavik can stay home on Monday because three members of council have been acclaimed.

Enterprise

Michael St Amour has been acclaimed as mayor, returning to a position he occupied until his defeat by Sandra McMaster in February. McMaster resigned four months later, which is why the position of mayor was once again expected to be on the ballot. Ultimately, nobody ran against St Amour.

Still, residents of Enterprise will be heading to the polling station to elect four councillors to a two-year term.

Voters can head to the hamlet office to cast their ballots between 10am and 7pm on Monday.

Fort Liard

Derwin Kotchea will be Fort Liard’s new mayor come January after being acclaimed. Voters will be electing a full council (of six members) to a three-year term.

Voters can make their way to the hamlet council chambers on Monday to cast their ballots between 10am to 7pm.

Fort McPherson

Incumbent Rebecca Blake has been acclaimed as Fort McPherson’s mayor.

A sitting Fort McPherson councillor, Sierra Daley, said the council’s size is being reduced this year, so there are no council seats up for election this time around. The four councillors elected to a two-year term last year are continuing in their roles, Daley said.

Fort Providence

Residents will choose between sitting mayor Danny Beaulieu or former Dehcho MLA Ronald Bonnetrouge on Monday. Voters will also be electing four councillors to a three-year term.

The casting of ballots will take place at the hamlet office between 10am and 7pm.

Paulatuk

Ray Ruben Sr will continue as mayor of Paulatuk after being acclaimed. There are four seats available on council with five candidates in the race.

Voters can head to the polls at the Hamlet of Paulatuk council chambers between 9am and 6pm.

Sachs Harbour

There are four candidates in the race for mayor in Sachs Harbour, including incumbent Kyle Wolki. The others are Issiac Elanik, Warren Esau and Donna Keogak.

Residents will also vote in three councillors to a two-year term.

Ballots will be cast at the hamlet office between the hours of 9am and 6pm.

Tsiigehtchic

While all eight council candidates in Tsiigehtchic have won a seat by acclamation, there is a race for mayor between candidates Charlene Blake and Shawn James Roland VanLoon. (After this article was first published, the hamlet electoral officer pointed out that a third candidate initially listed, James Andre, has in fact withdrawn.)

Voters can head to the polls at the hamlet office between 10am and 7pm.

Tuktoyaktuk

There are four council seats available and six candidates in the running in Tuktoyaktuk.

Residents can head to Kitti Hall to cast their ballots between 10am and 7pm.

Ulukhaktok

Residents of Ulukhaktok will be electing a new mayor in a race with three candidates, as well as four city councillors. There are six council candidates.

The casting of ballots will take place at the Simon Kataoyak Community Centre between 10am and 7pm.