Advance polls open this weekend

Last federal election, in 2015, 8,122 of 50,768 voters in the Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner riding used the advance polls.

Unlike the provincial election that allowed voters to cast their ballot at any location, Elections Canada says people must vote at their assigned locations.

“You can find out which polling location you should go to by looking at your voter information card you would have received in the mail,” said Elections Canada spokesperson Leanne Nyirfa.

Nyirfa says if residents did not receive a card, there is still time to register or confirm your status.

“If you haven’t received a voter information card in the mail you may not be registered to vote. Or we may have an incorrect address for you. So if you could contact Elections Canada, the phone number is 1-800-463-6868 or you can go online to the voter information service where you enter your postal code and you’ll be able to find out where your polling station is,” she said.

Once at the polls, voters will need some proof of identity.

“Any piece of government-issued ID that has your photo, name, and address on it. If you don’t have a driver’s license you can bring two other pieces of ID that are accepted by Elections Canada.”

Nyirfa says there are about 50 types of accepted ID’s.

“This can be two pieces. Both of them need to have your name on them and one needs to have your address on it. For example, you could bring your health card and a utility bill. Or your credit card and your credit card statement.”

If unable to produce two of these pieces, there are still ways to have your vote counted.

“If you do not have ID you can have another person, who is going to be voting in the same polling location as you, can vouch for you. That person will need to prove their identity and their address and you will both need to sign a declaration before you vote,” Nyirfa explained.

Voters also can cast a ballot by mail or at their local Elections Canada office by Tuesday, October 15th. The federal election takes place on October 21st.

by Hayley Ferguson

Advance polls open this weekend

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