Nunavut voters head to the polls today in territorial election

Sandy Kusugak, Nunavut’s chief electoral officer, shortly before the election race began last month. Go to the Elections Nunavut website for voter information: http://www1.elections.nu.ca/apps/authoring/dspPage.aspx?page=home. (FILE PHOTO)

After 30 days of door-knocking, hand-shaking, and question-answering, candidates for 20 open seats in the new Nunavut Legislative Assembly are mobilizing family, friends and supporters to get out and vote today.

Polls opened this morning across the territory with staggered opening hours so that all polls will close at the same time, allowing Elections Nunavut to calculate results quickly and synchronize their release.

You can track the results, after polls close and counting starts, by using this Elections Nunavut results web page.

If you’re voting in the Kitikmeot region, in the Mountain time zone, polls are open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; in the Kivalliq region, in the Central time zone, polls are open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and in the Baffin region, in the Eastern time zone, polls will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Voters in Gjoa Haven should pay particular attention to their ballot this time around.

Andrew Porter, who submitted nomination papers to run for MLA in that constituency, dropped out two weeks ago but not in time to get his name off the ballot.

So even though his name will appear on the ballot, he no longer wishes to become MLA.

Voters in that community may casts vote for one of three other candidates: Tony Akoak, Linda Hunter and George Sonny Porter.

Though there are 22 seats in the legislature, two candidates ran uncontested and won their seats by acclamation: Kugluktuk candidate Peter Taptuna and Netsilik candidate Jeannie Ugyuk, each of whom are incumbents.

Ugyuk’s constituency is new, comprising Taloyoak and Kugaaruk. In the last assembly she represented Nattilik, which then comprised Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven, following her victory in a by-election held April 26, 2010.

Taptuna has held his seat since 2008, when he took 59.5 per cent of the vote to defeat Donald Havioyak.

A total of 12 woman candidates are contesting half of the 20 available seats.

And six constituencies — Aivilik, Amittuq, Baker Lake, Quttiktuq, Rankin Inlet South, and Tununiq — will feature head-to-head races between two candidates.

Iqaluit’s four new seats have attracted 19 candidates, with six contesting the new constituency of Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu. Several high-profile candidates are running for a seat in Iqaluit including the current premier, Eva Aariak, and former premier Paul Okalik.

For more information on how to vote, go to the Elections Nunavut website.

Here’s who’s running in Nunavut’s 22 new constituencies:

Aggu

John Illupalik
Paul Aarulaaq Quassa
Daniel Uyarak

Aivilik

Johnny Ningeongan
Steve Mapsalak

Amittuq

Paul Haulli
George Quviq Qulaut

Arviat North-Whale Cove

Elizabeth Copland
Joseph Ivitaaruq Kaviok
David Kritterdlik
George Kuksuk
Amauyak Netser

Arviat South

Peter Alareak
Airo Pameolik
Joe Savikataaq

Baker Lake

Simeon Mikkungwak
Karen Yip

Cambridge Bay

Clara Hokayak Evalik
Fred Pedersen
Keith Peterson

Gjoa Haven

Tony Akoak
Linda Hunter
George Sonny Porter

Hudson Bay

Moses Appaqaq
Frank Audla
Allan Rumbolt
Lucy Uppik

Iqaluit-Manirajak

Mikidjuk Akavak
Monica Ell
Lewis Lehman
Paulie Sammurtok

Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu

Jack Anawak
Pat Angnakak
Anne Crawford
Duncan Cunningham
Sytukie Joamie
Methusalah Kunuk

Iqaluit-Sinaa

Solomon Awa
Natsiq Kango
Paul Okalik
Leesee Papatsie

Iqaluit-Tasiluk

Eva Aariak
Travis Cooper
George Hickes
Gideonie Joamie
Patterk Netser

Kugluktuk

Peter Taptuna (Acclaimed)

Netsilik

Jeannie Ugjuk (Acclaimed)

Pangnirtung

Harry J. Dialla
Johnny Mike
Hezakiah Oshutapik
Sakiasie Sowdlooapik

Quttiktuq

Ron Elliot
Isaac Shooyook

Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet

Donna Adams
Qilak Kusugak
Harry Niakrok
Tom T. Sammurtok

Rankin Inlet South

Lorne Kusugak
Alexander Sammurtok

South Baffin

Tommy Akavak
Joannie Ikkidluak
Mathew Saveakjuk Jaw
David Joanasie
Fred Schell

Tununiq

Joe Enook
David Qajaakuttuk Qamaniq

Uqqummiut

Apiusie Apak
Niore Iqalukjuak
Charlie Kalluk
Samuel Nuqingaq
Loseosie Paneak