The results are in and it was a record turnout for advance polls, which ran from April 9 to 13. According to Elections Alberta, nearly 700,000 voters cast their ballots.
“The turnout at advance polls was record breaking, with almost triple the number of votes cast at the advance polls than in the 2015 general election,” said Chief Electoral Office, Glen Resler in a press release, adding 696,000 Albertans participated in advance polls.
Throughout the five days of advance poll voting, electors had the ability to cast their ballot at any of the 268 advance poll locations held across the province, according to Elections Alberta.
Ballots cast by electors within their electoral division will be counted following the close of polls on Election Day in their respective electoral divisions. Approximately 473,000 ballots, the Elections Alberta release stated, were cast by electors in their electoral divisions.
Ballots cast by electors at locations outside their electoral divisions will be counted in the days following Election Day. Approximately 223,000 ballots were cast by electors outside of their electoral divisions, states the release.
Those Airdonians requiring a Special Ballot still have time to arrange to cast a vote, according to Elections Alberta; however, in order a Special Ballot to be counted, it must be returned to the Returning Officer in the voter’s electoral division before the polls close at 8 p.m. April 16.
Special Ballot can be requested by visiting the returning officer in your electoral division in person, by email or by fax, as it is now too late to request a Special Ballot by regular mail.
In Airdrie-East, Returning Officer Jean Kruse can be contacted in person at 301 2903 Kingsview Blvd. S.E., Airdrie, by phone at 587-600-1543 or by email at [email protected]
In Airdrie-Cochrane, Special Ballots can be arranged in person at 215B 100 Grand Blvd., Cochrane. To contact Returning Office Lorraine Romain, call 587-355-1223 or [email protected]
Special Ballot are only available if you are unable to vote at advance polls or on Election Day if you are physically incapacitated, away from your electoral division, an inmate, elections office, candidate, official agent or scrutineers, or if you are living in a remote area as defined in the Election Act.
Offices of the Returning Officers are open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
On April 16, voters must vote at their assigned location and are reminded to bring their “Where-to-Vote” card with them to the polls. If electors are not registered to vote, identification is required to validate their name and address, according to Elections Alberta. Voting locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
A complete list of Election Day voting locations is available at elections.ab.ca
