The 84-per-cent increase in advance poll turnout this year puts Owen Sound on track for a record voter turnout, with well over 50 per cent of eligible voters poised to cast ballots, Mayor Deb Haswell said.

"I am pleased that reforms in the voting process undertaken by the present city council are working," Haswell said after assessing the advance poll result of 1,770 voters, 11 per cent of those eligible compared to 959 or six per cent of eligible voters in the 2010 election.

Only 49.5 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots in 2010.

Reforms to the voting process, the fluoride plebiscite and a large slate of candidates who campaigned vigorously, sets the stage for a good day for democracy in Owen Sound on Monday, said Haswell.

There were three days for advance voting compared with only two in 2010. Voting has been centralized to five convenient polling stations, at the Royal Canadian Legion, the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre, the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library, the

First Christian Reformed Church on 4 Avenue West and the Alliance Church on 7 Avenue East.

"I urge all the citizens of Owen Sound to vote Monday. This is the most important public participation event in municipal politics," Haswell said.

Source: Deb Haswell campaign