The population of Whitehorse has grown substantially since the 2006 municipal elections, but the list of eligible voters has shrunk.

Whitehorse returning officer Norma Felker attributes the shrinking list to more and more residents concerning themselves with issues of privacy and not wanting to have their names and addresses in the public domain.

"A lot of people declined to be enumerated,” Felker said in an interview this morning. "People just don't want their names to be out there on any list that other people may be able to see.”

Felker said the number of eligible voters on the 2009 list for the Oct. 15 election is approximately 10,700, compared to 10,717 three years ago.

The city's population, on the other hand, has grown by 2,000, according to the most recent numbers available from the Yukon Bureau of Statistics.

The bureau estimates there were 25,636 Whitehorse residents last June, up 1,998 from 23,638 in June 2006.

In addition to those concerned with privacy, there are also those who are legitimately concerned about their safety when it comes to voting lists.

Many of them fear violent ex-spouses finding out their whereabouts or where they'll vote, she said.

Felker said she's met a few in that boat over the years.

Residents who choose not to be enumerated can still be sworn in at the polls, though if they're sworn in, their names will be added to the voters list later, she explained.

Felker said those who want to maintain absolute anonymity can vote by special ballot at city hall.

There are some, for instance, who may work at sensitive jobs like family services which may involve the seizure of children, and do not want their addresses known for obvious reasons, the returning officer explained.

Felker said residents who plan to be away on voting day, or won't be able to vote because of work or what have you, can vote at city hall by special ballot from here on right through voting day, regardless of whether they're on the list.

While the special ballot is supposed to be reserved for the special cases, Felker said she's not about to turn anybody away who wants to vote by special ballot.

She did point out for those who simply want to vote early for one reason or another, there will be the advance poll at city hall tomorrow.

For this year's general election, there will only be three polling stations, compared to four last year.

Last year:

• Downtown and Riverdale residents voted at the Royal Canadian Legion building on Alexander Street;

• Hillcrest residents and those living south of there voted at the Yukon Transportation Museum;

• Residents of Granger, Copper Ridge, Takhini and the Northland and Takhini mobile home parks voted at the Mount McIntyre Recreational Centre;

• Residents of Porter Creek and all those living to the north, including Crestview and Hidden Valley, voted at the Guild Hall.

This year:

• In the new voting district referred to as Southeast, all residents living below the escarpment – downtown, Riverdale, Marwell – and those living south of Robert Service Way, will vote at the High Country Inn's Convention Centre;

• In the new district referred to as Centre West, all residents living above the escarpment, north of Robert Service Way to the Fish Lake Road, including the Lobird Mobile Home Park, will vote at the Takhini Arena;

• In the new voting district referred to as North, all residents of Porter Creek and those northward will vote at Jack Hulland Elementary School, inside the small gym at the rear.

Felker said it was decided to eliminate the transportation museum as a polling station because residents who voted there had to drive in any case.

It was felt by moving the voting location for many of those voters, many of whom work downtown, there would be more opportunity to cast the ballot during the day or at least before driving home, Felker explained.