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LLI GOLINE/NORMAN WELLS
Chief returning officers around the territory had a busy few months preparing for the recent municipal elections. Having done the job four times, Cheryl Veitch knows all about the responsibility that comes with it.

"A favourite is at the end of it when I know things are done in order, done accordingly," said Veitch. "Even though it was quarter to 12 the other night, it doesn't matter, it's done. It was done correctly and I don't care if it's one or two in the morning, it has to be done correctly. These are people's lives and especially when we had a close vote with the councillors."

Planning for the municipal election, which occurs on the third Monday in October every three years, starts in the summer. That's when council selects the election date and from there, deadlines for the event including nominations, advanced voting, voter registration and proxy registration are set.

"I really have to pay attention to the dates and I always, each time I do it, I still have a fear I'm going to miss a correct date," admitted Veitch.

However, a mistake isn't likely. Veitch keeps a close eye on changes to the Local Government Elections Act to ensure the information she has is accurate. She said she relies on the act and materials, such as a calendar and manual, supplied by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs to make sure she has everything in line.

When in doubt, Veitch said the NWT's chief electoral officer, David Corvettes, is only an e-mail away.

"He's very helpful," she said. "If I have questions or I'm not too sure, I e-mail him, then I've got it in writing as well."

Once the dates are set, it can be difficult to get word out to voters, said Veitch. She utilizes the community website and bulletins around the town to ensure residents are aware of all the important dates.

Veitch is also responsible for maintaining the voter list and preparing the ballots.

The day of election, which was Oct. 15 this year, is when all of her careful planning comes together.

"It was busy on Monday," she said. "There were issues that really meant a lot to people."

Voting in Norman Wells is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Veitch said the times are kept consistent for each election to prevent confusion and the times also accommodate for flights in and out of the community. The goal is to have as many eligible voters at the polls as possible, she said.

Veitch and her deputy returning officer, who was Candi Gillis this year, are at the polling station for the full nine hours and are responsible for locking up at exactly 8 p.m.

Then, Veitch and three counters, as well as a scrutineer, sift through the ballots, separating the different coloured ballots for mayor and council.

Every 20 ballots, the counters compare numbers to ensure they're the same.

Veitch said this election's ballots were counted by 11:30 p.m., but when the number of votes cast differed by two from the number of voters who participated that day, Veitch and Gillis had to comb their lists of voters to find the discrepancy.

The process kept the group locked up in council chambers further into the night but, in the end, Veitch said the reward was knowing the election was conducted accurately.

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