Edmonton votes: Here's your need-to-knows before heading to the polls Monday

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Edmontonians will elect a new city council and two new school boards on Monday as another four-year term comes to a close.

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About 10 per cent of eligible voters have already cast a ballot during the 10-day advance voting period, but for those Edmontonians waiting to vote on election day here’s what you need to know.

Residents can get a free ride to the polls on Edmonton transit with fares being suspended for the day to assist voting.

Voting logistics

There are 212 polling stations on election day across the city’s 12 council wards and each resident has an assigned polling station where they must vote. Designated polling stations can be found online or on the voter information cards mailed out to residents.

During advance voting, there were some issues with residents getting a ballot for the wrong school board ward race. Residents are advised to check the ward in which they live and confirm it matches the ballot received at voting stations.

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Polls are open on Monday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and casting a ballot will be permitted as long as voters are in line before they close.

Ward boundaries for council and school board races are new after being redesigned last year to more evenly represent the city’s population. Edmonton’s 12 council wards have new Indigenous ward names that can be found here.

Residents are required to provide one piece of authorized identification that has the voter’s name and residential address. Examples include an Alberta driver’s licence, identification card, a bank statement or personal cheque, an income or property tax assessment notice and an insurance policy or coverage card.

Residents will need to wear masks in voting stations as per the city’s bylaw, but proof of vaccination won’t be required.

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What’s on the ballot?

Voters will be handed two ballots at polling stations, one with three municipal election questions and a separate ballot for the two provincial referendum questions and the Senate election. Edmontonians will vote for mayor, one councillor and one school trustee — either for the public or Catholic board.

Councillor and school board races will depend on which ward residents live in. Residents will select either the public or Catholic board when at a polling station. All but Ward 77 in the Catholic school board race is acclaimed.

There are 11 candidates running for mayor and 74 for council.

In addition to the municipal elections, residents will be asked three questions from the province. Albertans will be asked the following referendum question on equalization:

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Should section 36(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982 — Parliament and the government of Canada’s commitment to the principle of making equalization payments — be removed from the Constitution?

A “yes” vote means the province would look to enter discussions with the federal government on a possible amendment to the constitution in respect to equalization.

Voters will also be asked about their thoughts on daylight time and if it should become permanent. Daylight time is currently observed in Alberta from the second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November.

The following question will be on the ballot:

Do you want Alberta to adopt year-round Daylight Saving Time, which is summer hours, eliminating the need to change our clocks twice a year?

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If a majority of voters say yes, the Alberta government will take steps to implement the change by the fall of 2022.

Albertans will also be asked to vote in the Senate election and the top three vote-getters will then be recommended to the prime minister to consider when filling Senate vacancies. There are 13 candidates registered in the race.

COVID-19 protocols

Edmontonians are advised to expect longer lines than in past elections, in part due to the provincial ballots and in part due to COVID-19 measures that will require more people to line up outside. Plexiglas barriers will be set up inside polling stations and hand sanitizer will be available.

To help residents plan ahead, a wait time tracking tool for each polling station will be available on the Edmonton Elections website under the where to vote tool.

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Special ballot applications are still being accepted until 4:30 p.m. Monday but they will need to be returned by 7 p.m. Special ballots are available to voters who are unable to vote in person because of a disability, absence from the local jurisdiction or for candidates and election workers.

Results

Once the polls close Monday night, the voting tabulators will be used to count the ballots and unofficial municipal election results will be posted on the city’s website . Results for the province’s questions will be sent to Elections Alberta, and won’t be reported by the city. These official results will be posted Oct. 26.

A list of candidates in every race can be found on our website.

duscook@postmedia.com

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