McBride, B.C. – Those wanting to cast a ballot in advance of next month’s by-election in the Village of McBride can do so today.

The poll will be open until 8 tonight at the Robson Valley Community Centre. General voting day is March 4.

Nine people have put their names forward for three council seats. They are:

Bob Balcaen, Harold Edwards, Allan Frederick, Lucille Green, Rosemary Hruby, Mike Moseley, Irene Rejman, Joseph Rich and Diane Smith.

The by-election became necessary after three former councillors, Sharon Reichart, Ralph Bezanson and Edith Tracy, resigned their seats in November.

The resignations left only Mayor Loranne Martin and Councillor Rick Thompson on council and short of their required quorum.

Later that month, the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development took the necessary steps to allow Martin and Thompson to constitute quorum so that village business could be conducted.

No explanation for the resignations have been made public.