Returning Officers
Neutrality and non-partisanship are crucial to the performance of a Returning Officer (RO). There are 19 Returning Officers, one for each Electoral District in the NWT. Each RO is the primary contact person for voters and candidates in their electoral district. During an election, ROs will field many questions from election workers, Candidates, and Official Agents about the rules of conduct during an election campaign, and work closely with the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer to help people understand the electoral process and the importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral system.
Overall duties of each Returning Officer include:
- appointing election workers;
- dividing the electoral district into polling divisions;
- revising the voters list;
- approving candidate nominations;
- directing the administration of the ballot; and
- conducting an official addition of the votes cast for each candidate.
Returning Office Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 10 AM – 1 PM & 4PM – 6 PM
(Note: Sahtu Office Hours: 10 AM – 1 PM & 4 –5 PM) - Saturday: 10 AM – 2 PM
- Sunday: CLOSED (Note; see Remembrance Day Hours below)
ADVANCE POLLS:
On November 7, Advance Polls are being held in:
DEHCHO
Enterprise, Kakisa, K’atlodeeche
MACKENZIE DELTA
Aklavik, Tsiigehtchic
NAHENDEH
Fort Liard, Jean Marie River, Nahanni Butte, Sambaa K’e, Wrigley
SAHTU
Colville Lake, Deline*, Norman Wells, Tulita
TU NEDHE-WIILIDEH
Dettah, Lutselk’e, Ndilo
*Please Note: the advanced poll for Deline has been rescheduled to Friday, November 10th 12-5p.m. at the Arena
REMEMBRANCE DAY HOURS
Note: Some offices have chosen to close for Remembrance Day and open on the Sunday instead. Check below to see which hours your polling station will be open over the weekend
OPEN November 11: 10AM-2 PM
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Dehcho
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Mackenzie Delta
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Sahtu
OPEN November 11: 1-5 PM
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Tu Nedhé - Wiilideh
OPEN November 11 2-6 PM
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Hay River (All districts)
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Inuvik (All districts)
-
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Yellowknife (All districts)
OPEN November 12: 10AM-2 PM
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Nahendeh
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Thebacha
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Nunakput
Election Day, November 14: 9 AM – 8 PM
Electoral District | Returning Officers and Contact Information |
Dehcho | Berna Matto | 867-446-1463 | Snowshoe Inn, 1 Mackenzie Drive, Fort Providence, NT, X0E 0L0 |
Frame Lake | Mona Durkee | 867-446-2661 | Centre Square Mall, 5022-49th Street, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 3R8 |
Great Slave | Carol Nychka | 867-446-0780 | Centre Square Mall, 5022-49th Street, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 3R8 |
Hay River North | Marny Twigge | 867-444-8350 | Godwin Mall, 66 Woodland Drive, Hay River, NT, X0E 1G1 |
Hay River South | Heather Coakwell | 867-446-1084 | Godwin Mall, 66 Woodland Drive, Hay River, NT, X0E 1G1 |
Inuvik Boot Lake | Chris Garven | 867-446-2707 | Inuvik Capital Suites, Room 103 & 105, Inuvik, NT, XOE 0T0 |
Inuvik Twin Lakes | Mitchell MacQuarrie | 867-444-9456 | Inuvik Capital Suites, Room 103 & 105, Inuvik, NT, XOE 0T0 |
Kam Lake | Dave Heron | 867-445-8033 | Centre Square Mall, 5022-49th Street, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 3R8 |
Mackenzie Delta | Grace Martin | 867-446-2573 | 715 John Tetlichi Drive, Fort McPherson, NT, X0E 0J0 |
Monfwi | Harriet Koyina | 867-446-2991 | Behchoko Motel - Room 3, Behchokǫ̀,NT, X0E 0Y0 |
Nahendeh | Crystal Marshall | 867-446-3028 | Office #108 - LKFN Business Centre, Fort Simpson, NT, X0E 0N0 |
Nunakput | Sarah Ross-Gruben | 867-445-4459 | Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk Office, 158 Igluyuakyuk Lane, Tuktoyaktuk, NT, X0E 1C0 |
Range Lake | Meag Shouhda | 867-444-8015 | Centre Square Mall, 5022-49th Street, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 3R8 |
Sahtu | Valerie Erutse | 867-445-4479 | Charter Community of K'asho Got'ine Office, Fort Good Hope, NT, X0E 0H0 |
Thebacha | Lynda B. Martin | 867-444-8701 | St. John's Anglican Church Hall, Fort Smith, NT, X0E 0P0 |
Tu Nedhé - Wiilideh | Lorraine Villeneuve | 867-446-1908 | Deninu Ku'e First Nation Band Office, Fort Resolution, NT, X0E 0M0 |
Yellowknife Centre | Joanna Grant | 867-444-8592 | Centre Square Mall, 5022-49th Street, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 3R8 |
Yellowknife North | Amanda Mallon | 867-446-4490 | Centre Square Mall, 5022-49th Street, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 3R8 |
Yellowknife South |
Melanie Gentles | 867-444-8122 | Centre Square Mall, 5022-49th Street, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 3R8 |
Additional Assistant Returning Officers
Returning Officers appoint Additional Assistant Returning Officers (AARO), located in communities without a resident Returning Officer. The AARO reports to the Returning Officer, or the Assistant Returning Officer, for that electoral district.
On polling days, the AARO assumes the role of Deputy Returning Officer for their community. You can find their names here.