Yellowknife (Oct 17/03) - The public forums are over, candidate's campaigns are winding down, and voters head to the polls Monday.

Record numbers of Yellowknifers are running: 17 candidates for eight council seats, 17 for seven openings as public school trustee, and eight for seven Catholic school trustee spots.

Returning officer Debbie Euchner says voters can cast ballots if they aren't on the official voters list by providing identification at their polling station.

Voters must be Canadian citizens, be 18 years of age by election day, and have resided in Yellowknife for 12 consecutive months to be eligible. Polling stations will be set up at seven locations across the city.

Polls will open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. If voters are unable to vote on Monday, a proxy voter can cast a ballot on their behalf.

Proxy forms must be obtained before Monday from the returning officer at city hall. For the 2000 election, 4,150 out of 9050 eligible voters cast ballots citizens.

In addition to electing city councillors and school trustees, voters are being asked to decide on borrowing $1.93 million to finance the 2004 road program.

Where to vote

Polls open at 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Poll 1 -- Sir John Franklin high school (Great Slave)
• Poll 2 -- St. Patrick high school (Weledeh)
• Poll 3 -- Northern United Place (Yellowknife centre)
• Poll 4 -- William McDonald junior high school (Frame Lake)
• Poll 5 -- Range Lake North school (Range Lake)
• Poll 6 -- Ecole St. Joseph school (Kam Lake)
• Poll 7 -- N.J MacPherson elementary school (Yellowknife South)