Albertans are headed to the polls after a provincial election was called last week.
On Tuesday, March 19, NDP leader Rachel Notley dropped the writ to officially kick-off the 28-day campaign. Due to fixed election dates in Alberta, it had to be called between March 1 and May 31.
While advanced polls are an option, the official vote will take place Tuesday, April 16.
Former Bonnyville-Cold Lake MLA Scott Cyr announced last year he wouldn’t be seeking re-election, leaving the restructured Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul with all new candidates.
Residents will find former Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills MLA Dave Hanson on the ballot for the United Conservative Party (UCP), Glenn Andersen representing the Alberta Party, NDP candidate Kari Whan, and Kasey Daniels who has entered the race as an independent.
Before heading to the polls, voters are encouraged to get their identification in order and to bring their ‘where to vote’ card.
“(The card) will have on it all the information with their current address, along with where they should be voting,” explained Rebecca Cudmore, training officer for the Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul electoral district. “It will indicate if you need to vote in Bonnyville, Cold Lake, St. Paul, or any of our sub-polling stations.”
If someone is new to the area, Cudmore encouraged them to bring a piece of mail with their current address, such as a bill.
“Elections Alberta has set it up to make it possible for everyone to vote. There’s very few circumstances where we won’t have the opportunity to have somebody vote,” she said.
Special ballots are available for those who will be out of the country during the election, but still wish to have their vote counted. They can be requested online, or through the local Elections Alberta office.
Advanced polling stations are available from Tuesday, April 9 to Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. In Bonnyville, they will be set up at the Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre, and Cold Lake’s will be at the Tri-City Mall in unit 21. Locations will be available for First Nations in the area.
On voting day, April 16, polling stations will be located at the Bonnyville C2. Cold Lake voters can head to the Cold Lake Senior’s Centre or the Agriplex from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Elections Alberta will have mobile polls for senior citizens currently residing in long-term care.
In order to vote, you must be a Canadian citizen residing in Alberta and be 18 years of age.
Chambers holding all-candidates forums
In order to ensure residents are well informed about the candidates before casting their vote, local chambers are hosting forums ahead of the election.
The Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce will welcome the candidates on Monday, April 8 at Dr. Bernard Brosseau School. The event kicks off at 7 p.m.
On Thursday, April 4, the Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a similar event at the Lakeland Inn. Their event will start at 7 p.m.
“It’s important that people get out, be informed, and understand who their candidates are and what they stand for to make an educated vote,” detailed Sherri Buckle, executive director for the Cold Lake chamber.
Serina Parsons, executive director for the Bonnyville chamber, agreed.
“(It’s) in order to encourage people to get out and vote. I want them to go to the polls educated. I want them to go to the polls and be confident when they mark their ballots, and be confident with the candidate that they choose. That comes with knowing what their candidates stand for, what their party stands for, and all the information that goes along with how they’re going to help change Alberta right now.”
Both forums will have prepared questions before opening it up to the floor for those in attendance.
“When it comes to making sure we’re doing our civic duty, the fact is, voters need to really understand that they need to go out and look at party platforms, make sure they’re fully informed on the direction that those parties are planning on taking our province, and then voting with the understanding that they want to make sure we're well represented in Edmonton," said Cyr.
For more information, or to register to vote, visit elections.ab.ca.
