By Courtney Almeida

Provincial Election

What to know about voting in the Provincial Election on April 16

Apr 1, 2019 | 5:30 AM

The upcoming provincial election is set for April 16, but advanced polls open April 9-13 at various locations throughout Alberta from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ahead of the polls, Elections Alberta would like to ensure that all eligible voters have registered to vote.

According to Elections Alberta, in the last Provincial Election in 2015, the voter turnout was 57.02% Alberta wide. Right here in the Swan City, the voter turnout rate was 52.6%.

“Voting is the opportunity for residents and electors across Alberta to choose the representatives of the party that they would like to make decisions on how to run the province and make decisions for Albertans relating to the day-to-day services they get every day. Whether its education, whether its health care, whether its economy and jobs promotion, infrastructure. All the things that deal with Provincial Government,” says Drew Westwater, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer for Election Alberta.

To vote on Election Day, voters must first be registered to the voters list which can be done in several ways.

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In September of 2018, a province-wide numeration was executed by Elections Alberta, by going door-to-door across the province to register people to vote.

“If they don’t register in advance, they can still get registered at the poll on election day or at the advanced polls,” said Westwater.

Many people get missed during this process, often due to new voters who have recently turned 18, new Canadian citizens or new residents who have recently moved into the province.

To register on Election Day, voters must bring with them two pieces of identification. Identification must be a Government piece of ID such as a driver’s license which includes your name, a photo and your address.

“Fill out a declaration of elector form, get added to the list of electors and then they get a ballot to vote just like everybody else. It just takes a little bit longer if you don’t register in advance.”

This year, an extra day of advanced polls is being added to the schedule to move from four to five complete days of advanced voting time.

“No matter where you are in Alberta, if you’re away from home at work or if you’re travelling through Alberta visiting relatives or if you have a family emergency and you’re not in your home, you can go to any advanced polls that’s on those days. Any location,” said Westwater.

Anyone who is registered to vote before Election Day will receive a personalized ‘Where to Vote’ card in the mail, to the address they initially registered with.

On election day, you must vote at your home location. However, the ‘Where to Vote’ card will outline a selection of advanced poll locations that voters can choose from within their area.

For more information on the 2019 Provincial Election click here.