Advance voting now open in Bay of Quinte byelection

Advancevoting is now opento replace former education minister Todd Smith in Bay of Quinte.

The provincial byelection was called after Smith resigned his seat on Aug. 16 to take a job in the private sector. He wasnamededucation minister in early June after serving as minister of energy for three years.

The byelection has been set for Sept. 19.

In the meantime, voters can also cast their ballot in person at their returning office until 6 p.m. the day before.

Those registered to vote should have received aninformation card with directions on where, when and how to do so, according to Elections Ontario.

Advancevoting takes place from Sept. 11-13 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the following locations:

• Ameliasburgh Town Hall,13 Coleman Ave., Ameliasburgh, Ont.
• Batawa Community Centre, 81 Plant St., Batawa, Ont.
• Belleville & District Fish & Game Club, 170 Elmwood Dr., Belleville, Ont.
• Masonic Hall, 13251 Loyalist Pky, Picton, Ont.
• Quinte West library, 7 Creswell Dr. Trenton, Ont.
• Wellington and District Community Centre, 111 Belleville St., Wellington, Ont.

Early voting began Aug. 22by special ballot.Anyone who wants to vote by mail has until Sept.13 to submit an application.

Ontario Morning6:27Bay of Quinte byelection inches closer

We are a few weeks away from the Bay of Quinte byelection and all four major provincial parties have confirmed their candidates.They have just under two weeks left to make their case after the sudden departure of M-P-P and Education Minister Todd Smith. We spoke to the co-publisher of Quinteist, Hollie Pratt-Campbell, about the upcoming election. Quinteist is a local online news publication.

The Ontario PCs havenominatedTyler Allsoppas theircandidate. Allsopp has been a city councillor in Bellevillesince 2021and served as treasurer of the city's Enrichment Centre for Mental Health.

The Ontario NDP candidate isAmanda Robertson, who serves asvice chair of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, and treasurer for the John Howard Society of Belleville.

The Ontario Liberal Party is putting Belleville city councillor and radio hostSean Kellyforward, and the Greens are running formerBelleville General Hospital respiratory therapistLori Borthwick.

Margaret Schuleris up for the New Blue Party, Mark Snow represents the Libertarian Party andJohn Turmelis running(again)as an Independent.