Lots of voting options in federal election

Sep 23, 2019 | 8:49 AM

Medicine Hat, AB – No longer are voters in federal elections confined to voting on polling day or through absentee ballots. Constituents are free to vote right now, even for candidates who haven’t been officially confirmed.

Randy Drefs, returning officer for Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner, says the most common question he gets is who is running in the election.

But while local candidates for the People’s Party, Greens, NDP and Conservatives have been confirmed, you can still cast a ballot for them now, rather than wait until the advance polling dates from Oct. 11 to 14 or election day on Oct. 21.

“If you know somebody is going to run but they haven’t been a confirmed candidate, you can still vote for that person,” said Drefs. “You need to know their name and write it on the ballot.”

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If the candidate isn’t confirmed or drops out, the ballot becomes spoiled.

For registration if constituents not already on the voters’ list, have moved or the list contains incorrect information, Drefs said there are a number of options.

“They can go online at elections.ca . . .if it is just a move or correction. Or they can come into our office. . .and we’ll look after them. We have service agents here who will help them with the revision process, make those corrections or registrations for them,” said Drefs.

The best information to have with you either for registration or voting is picture identification with you current address, said Drefs.

Those looking for detailed information can visit the Elections Canada website.

by Alex McCuaig

Lots of voting options in federal election

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