A sign advertises an advance voting location for the 2022 Brooks-Medicine Hat byelection. Advance voting for the 2023 Alberta general election opens today. - NEWS FILE PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Advance voting is now underway at various locations in Medicine Hat and surrounding area.
Four advance voting stations are set up within the city ahead of the May 29 Alberta general election; two in each riding, as well as a touring station through Elkwater, Irvine, Dunmore, in Dunmore, Irvine, Bow Island, Suffield and Seven Persons.
In the Cypress-Medicine Hat riding, voters in the city have their choice to vote at either Chinook Village, located at 2801 13 Avenue SE; or South Country Village, located at 1720 Bell Street.
The Chinook Village station will be open to voters now until Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while the South Country Village station will only be open Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In the Brooks-Medicine Hat riding, advance voting stations are located at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital (666 Fifth Street SW), or the Hampton Inn and Suites at 2510 Box Springs Boulevard.
The MHRH station is open today only from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., while the Hampton Inn and Suites station will be open now until Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Throughout the week, an advance voting station is also touring rural communities surrounding Medicine Hat. While the station operates one day only in each community, its hours remain the same at each locale, with hours set from 10 a.m to 7 p.m.
Today, the station is set up in Elkwater at the hamlet’s community hall. Tomorrow it will be at the Irvine Sports Complex, then Thursday at Cypress County Office in Dunmore, as well as one at the Golden Age Club in Bow Island. On Friday, it will be set up in the Suffield Community Hall, followed by the Seven Persons Community Hall on Saturday.
An advance voting station is also operating in Brooks now until Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Brooks Heritage Inn & Suites (1239 2 Street W).
Voters who wish to cast their ballot in advance are able to visit any advance voting station, regardless of their designated voting station. However, come election day, voters must report to the station listed on their voter card.
To vote, individuals must provide a form of identification which shows their full name and address of residence. If unable to provide such, they may also ask an individual they know to vouch for them or provide a properly signed attestation form.
Once ready to cast their vote, Cypress-Medicine Hat constituents will choose between four candidates; Justin Wright of the UCP, Cathy Hogg of the NDP, Cody Ray Both of the Independence Party of Alberta or Matt Orr of the Wildrose Loyalty Coalition.
Meanwhile, Brooks-Medicine Hat voters have three options; Danielle Smith of the UCP, Gwendoline Dirk of the NDP or Barry Morishita of the Alberta Party.
Several advance voting stations will also be set up in communities of neighbouring electoral districts, including Manyberries, Rolling Hills, Bow Island, Taber, Vauxhall, Bassano, Vulcan, Hanna, Oyen, Hilda and more. For additional locations, visit elections.ab.ca.
