EDMONTON — Some Albertans are so far from their designated polling stations, they may think twice about voting on May 5, critics say.
“Polling stations for much of Garneau, in Edmonton-Strathcona, are located nearly five kilometres away from residences,” said a post in a Facebook discussion Tuesday. “The polling place is near Southgate, at St. Martin Catholic elementary school,” which is outside the riding.
Edmonton-Strathcona is known as a “walking neighbourhood,” says resident Ryan Shewchuk. “So, ideally you should be able to walk to the station, but in this case, we have to drive or take the LRT over just to vote.”
The distance could impact turnout, he adds.
“There’s probably a very large correlation between ease of voting and voter turnout.
“I’m a grad student, so I have some flexibility, but for someone who’s working a job and has to do an extra trip driving from work, I can see how it would throw them off.”
One Facebook commenter said polls 21 and 22 (for residences between 82nd and 85th Avenues and 107th and 109th Streets), and 32, 33 and 36 (for residences between 86th and University Avenues and 109th and 111th Streets) vote at St. Martin school, at 11310 51 Ave.
Using the Elections Alberta postal code search tool, someone living at the address of 10748 83 Avenue would have to go to the polling station at St Martin school, located at 11310 51 Avenue.
Global News has reached out to Elections Alberta to ask how polling station locations are chosen. As of Tuesday evening, we had not received a response.
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