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Andrea Rondeau column: Lack of information, misinformation and more election topics

This week voting started in the municipal elections.
13908848_web1_copy_181003-TDT-M-ballot

This week voting started in the municipal elections.

That’s right, there’s not much time left to find out about your candidates and make up your mind before heading to the polls on Oct. 20. Some folks even hit the polls on Wednesday, Oct. 10 in advance voting, and there’s more advance voting next week.

So, candidates, this is your last chance to make an impression in the press, and given the number of phone calls I’ve fielded in the last couple of weeks from voters looking for candidate and other voting information, I highly suggest that you take advantage of the Citizen’s offer to run a free profile on our website and participate in our voter’s guide next Wednesday. All you have to do is send in a photo and a 300 word profile for the former, and if all you want is inclusion in the voter’s guide, send a photo and one sentence that sums up your campaign. People are interested and they want to know about you. You just need to let us help you tell them.

It’s a good way to reach a lot of people and get your name out there, and in my experience covering municipal, provincial and federal elections for more than a decade, making sure people know who you are when they go to the polls and are confronted with that long list of names on the ballot is key to success.

Also perturbing was a note from Duncan mayoral candidate Sharon Jackson who commented on the large number of people she’s encountered while door knocking on the campaign trail who don’t know there are two referendum questions on the ballot as well, one on water, the other on affordable housing. I was also discussing the two referendums with a colleague at the paper, who had entirely incorrect information about what one of them was going to cost if it is approved (a lot more than the reality).

Two more important issues in the Cowichan Valley would be difficult to find. It’s imperative that people first know about them, and second, vote on them, but do so having all the facts, not just the rumours swirling about.

The Citizen has written numerous stories about both questions. Check out our website (www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com) for more information, and the online version of this column will have direct links.

RELATED: CVRD puts affordable housing tax to a referendum

RELATED: Have questions about the CVRD’s two referendums? Details emerge on website

RELATED: Referendum considered for Cowichan water supply option

While you’re at it, take a look at some candidate profiles. We’re deciding the Valley’s future.

I’m going to vote, are you?