It’s election day in Barrie’s Ward 7, as residents cast their ballot for a new city councillor. Polls at the Holly Rec Centre will remain open until 8 p.m. to give all residents living in the ward the chance to vote in the byelection. A total of 13 candidates are in the running. However, Bonnie-Lyn Gow has reportedly withdrawn her candidacy, though a city spokesperson says she never officially bowed out. The Ward 7 seat was vacated after former councillor John Brassard successfully secured his spot in federal politics as a Member of Parliament in Barrie South. During three days of advanced polls, city officials say they have seen a voter turnout of 6.5 per cent. In the 2014 municipal election, Ward 7 had a voter turnout of 26 per cent. Once polls close, results are expected to start rolling between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
