‘Steady’ flow of voters at Medicine Hat and area polls

In such a close election we wanted to know what voters are saying after they’ve cast their ballot for the province’s next leader.

The UCP’s Danielle Smith is looking for her first mandate from voters and the party’s second consecutive majority government.

Rachel Notley and the NDP are fighting to regain the government it lost in 2019.

Here in Medicine Hat, Returning Officer for Cypress-Medicine Hat Stella Lukinski says there have been lineups at some of the polling stations.

“I’ve heard that most places have a line up and they’re busy, even in Seven Persons. We have one voting location there with one voting area and they’re very busy so I’m going to take it from that, everybody is coming out to vote and I’m glad to see that,” says Lukinski.

In the Brooks-Medicine Hat riding a line up was also reported at a polling station in Duchess.

“It’s rewarding to see people come out and vote,” adds Lukinski.

This election advance polling numbers are the highest they’ve ever been, the provincial election administrator says province wide advance votes are up more than 8.29 per cent from 2019.

CHAT News asked voters in Medicine Hat how they decided which party for their support.

For many it came down to who they trust to address the biggest issues facing the province right now:

“Obviously our healthcare is in shambles and our economy and just having a stable government and things like that I think are important to business industries.”

“Mostly the economy, that’s a big thing for me is that we want to make sure that we are going in the right direction with the economy.”

“I think regardless of who you’re voting for I think it’s good to just be involved and I think just to be part of the community and contribute and even if it is just your one vote I think that your contribution.”

“I remember four years of Rachel Notley and I don’t think we can go back to that again.”

“The polarization of course is a concern but it’s that Americanization drift that concerns me.”

“The most credible one that makes sense to me and for financial and other reasons as well.”

Polls suggest a close race between both leaders who have served as premier and leader of the official opposition.

The UCP is expected to hold strong in rural areas while the NDP is expected to dominate Edmonton, making Calgary an important battleground.

44 seats are needed to form a majority government, that means the NDP would need to swing 20 seats province wide to win a majority government.

Election officials say they’ve employed over 300 workers at all polling stations in Medicine Hat and surrounding communities.

Elections Alberta also sent a mobile voting station to the hospital and long term living facilities.

Voters have until 8:00 pm to be at their polling station in order to cast a ballot.

by Brendan Miller

‘Steady’ flow of voters at Medicine Hat and area polls

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