Edmonton – Some Edmontonians have already registered their votes for the 2013 municipal election.
Advance polls opened Tuesday morning at five locations around the city: City Hall, Jasper Place Fitness & Leisure Centre, Edmonton East Soccer Centre, Terwillegar Recreation Centre, and Mill Woods Recreation Centre.
During this election, the city has placed an emphasis on making it more convenient for Edmontonians to get to the polls early.
Advance polls are being offered at more locations and for a longer period than in the past. During the 2010 election, advance polls were opened on the final two Saturdays prior to election day. This year, advance polls are open Tuesday to Saturday during the final two weeks before the election.
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“We wanted to make sure that there was more access for everybody to get an opportunity and a chance to vote. We really like the opportunity for the rec centres because we had hoped that a lot of younger people with kids could get an opportunity to come out and vote here,” says Returning Elections Officer Alayne Sinclair.
The strategy works for Kim Haldane. The mother was one of the first to register a vote at Terwillegar Recreation Centre Tuesday morning.
“I like that it’s at the rec centre because I take my kids to the indoor playground so this was a really convenient location because I come here at least once a week.”
The city is also reminding Edmontonians about a change to identification requirements. Residents must bring one piece of identification to a polling station that confirms their name and current address.
“It’s a drivers license, it’s a cancelled cheque, it’s a utility bill, it’s the insurance pink card from your car. Please bring those. Do not bring your passport or we’d have to turn you away and send you back to your car to get the right ID,” explains Director of Elections Laura Kennedy.
Residents looking for more information on advance polling can visit the city of Edmonton’s website or call 780-442-VOTE.
The city is also asking anyone who is unable to attend polling stations in advance or on election day, to vote through the special mail-in ballots which can be requested at the City of Edmonton website.
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