It’s officially election day, and tensions are higher than ever as Premier Danielle Smith’s UCP government faces off against NDP leader Rachel Notley.
The last few weeks have been a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with controversies, allegations, and a pastor. But we have heard enough from Smith and Notley.
Now it’s time for our voices to be heard. There are a couple of ways to cast your ballot. This includes voting on election day and special ballots.
Any Albertan that is 18 or older and holds Canadian citizenship can vote. Your time will come for the younger generation with a thing or two to say about our candidates!
As always, it’s best if voters can provide identification such as a driver’s license or passport. Accepted forms of identification can be found here.
If a voter does not have an accepted form of identification, another voter can vouch for them by giving an attestation form. This can be found on the Elections Alberta website. Now for the fun part; voting.
Election Day & Special Ballot
There are a few ways to vote on election day, the most obvious being the ballot box at your assigned voting location. When you registered to vote, you should have received a voter’s card with your designated location.
If you didn’t get a voter’s card or lost it, you can find your assigned location on the Elections Alberta website or on LetsVoteAB.ca. Voting locations will be open from 9 AM to 8 PM, which gives voters plenty of time to stop by after work.
Mobile voting is also available to some voters in treatment centers, long-term care facilities, hospitals, etc. For a facility to be eligible for mobile voting, at least ten voters must reside or receive treatment there.
For Albertans who cannot vote on election day, voters can vote by special ballot. Special ballots are only available at Elections Alberta’s head office in Edmonton and in returning offices.
Voters can request a special ballot at the Elections Alberta website, but it must be picked up in person. Voters are also required to provide a reason for voting by special ballot. This includes:
- physically disabled
- an inmate
- an election officer, candidate, official agent, or scrutineer
- living in a remote area
- displaced by emergency or disaster
- away from your electoral division
According to the Election Act, a remote area is a location where no voting places may be established, and no election officers may be appointed.
Ongoing wildfires have displaced tens of thousands across the province. Voters evacuated from their homes are allowed to vote by special ballot.
However, this option is only available to evacuees with a mailing address where they can receive mail, or by going to a returning office to pick up their special ballot.
Elections Canada will help voters find a polling site based on their location for evacuees that cannot return home.
Whether it’s Smith or Notley that walks away with the win today, let’s hope there is a better future on the horizon. Now, get out there and vote! The future of the province is in your hands.
