Two Nunavik votes mean two separate voter registration lists

People who want to vote in the May 2 federal election in Nunavik should make sure they’re on its voter list by April 26.

The May 2 election falls five days after the April 27 referendum on the Nunavik Regional Government.

But the voter list for the federal election is different than the one compiled for the NRG referendum.

That’s why Elections Canada is recommending that all Nunavimmiut over 18 who plan to vote should register before April 26.

“If you received a voter information card in the mail, you are on the voters’ list,” said Elections Canada spokesperson Diane Benson. “If you did not, contact your local returning office to find out how to register.”

Voters from Nunavik can contact the riding’s returning officer at 1-866-216-5311. Voter information is also available in Inuktitut on the Elections Canada website.

But if you miss the April 26 deadline, you can still register on election day by bringing the proper identification with you – either a piece of government-issued photo ID or two other pieces displaying your name and address, such a telephone bill or driver’s license.

Some people in Kuujjuaq — the only community in Nunavik offering an advance poll for the May 2 election — will be able to vote today, if they choose.

The early poll will open today at the municipal office in Kuujjuaq, although interested voters should call ahead to confirm its hours.

Nunavik voters can vote May 2 at their local municipal office from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m..

Local election officials will also visit elders’ homes so their residents can fill out a ballot.

There’s no federal election poll slated at Xstrata’s Raglan mine, but Elections Canada sent voter mail-in kits to isolated locations across the country.

According to Elections Canada’s preliminary list, the Abitibi-James Bay-Eeyou-Nunavik riding contains 58,593 voters.

Of these, about 7,000 eligible voters live in Nunavik.