Elections Alberta lays out voter engagement plans for Lethbridge-West in wake of Canada Post strike

CUPW Local 770 Chief Shop Steward Cole Morgan says they would be open to doing that, just as they worked to distribute government cheques during the strike.

Regardless, Elections Alberta says it will take the following steps to ensure voters in Lethbridge-West have the information they need:

Two full-page advertisements will be published in the Lethbridge Herald, one on December 9 prior to the start of advance voting and one on December 16 prior to Election Day, listing the voting locations and related voting areas, and linking to Elections Alberta’s resources for additional information about the by-election.
A printed flyer will be distributed to residences in Lethbridge-West the week of December 2 outlining where to get voting location information. These flyers will also be available at the returning office.
Forty ads on each of six local radio stations (CFRV – Kiss 107.7, CHLB – Wild 95.5, CJBZ – B93.3, CJOC – 106.7 ROCK, and CKBD – 98.1 The Ranch) directing electors to resources to find voting locations, starting December 2 and running throughout the day, every day, until 7:00 pm on December 18.
Media relations outreach providing information to local media regarding the impact of the Canada Post disruption and where to find voting locations. We will be available to media throughout the campaign period for interviews.
Several social media posts and ads directing electors to our online and telephone resources to find their assigned Election Day voting location, geotargeted to Lethbridge.
Several social media posts publishing and encouraging advance voting and highlighting the advance voting locations.
Google search ads running from December 2 through December 18 directing people to voting location information.
Several news releases over the course of the election period containing information on where to get voting location information.
Telephone and email support to all electors to assist them in finding their voting location from both Elections Alberta’s head office and the returning office.
Voters will be encouraged to use Elections Alberta resources to find their voting location. These include:
- Visiting elections.ab.ca
- Contacting 1.877.422.VOTE (8683)
- Emailing info@elections.ab.ca
- Contacting or visiting the Lethbridge-West returning office

Elections Alberta says voting locations will be available shortly on www.elections.ab.ca as the returning office confirms locations.

The by-election pits the United Conservative Party’s John Middleton-Hope against Rob Miyashiro with the Alberta NDP.

The by-election follows the resignation of former MLA Shannon Philips, who stepped down at the end of June this year.

More information on the by-election, as presented by Elections Alberta, is as follows:

Special Ballots

Electors have until 8:00 pm on December 18 to vote by Special Ballot. Special Ballots may be completed in the returning office, picked up by an elector’s designate, or sent to the elector anywhere in the world. Applications can be submitted online at www.elections.ab.ca. See Elections Alberta’s website for more information on deadlines for Special Ballots.

Elections Alberta made alternative arrangements to distribute Special Ballots during the by-election. Elections Alberta began sending the Special Ballot packages through an alternate carrier and are providing information in the package outlining options for the elector to return the Special Ballot prior to the close of voting on Election Day. In the event of a continuing Canada Post strike, electors choosing this voting option may need to consider an alternative method to return their ballot prior to 8:00 pm on Election Day. Special Ballots may be returned by Canada Post (should the strike end before Election Day), by courier, by dropping it off at the Lethbridge-West returning office, or by dropping it off at Elections Alberta’s head office in Edmonton.

We have received many Special Ballot applications already, consistent in volume with past by-elections, and they are being sent out daily. Despite the mail strike, electors are actively engaged and participating in this election.

Additional Outreach

The Returning Officer conducts outreach to identify treatment centers, supportive living and long-term care centres, shelters, and community support centres that qualify under section 120 of the Election Act for mobile voting. The Returning Officer, in consultation with officials from the facilities, work to determine whether a mobile vote will be held at the facility, the day in which to hold the mobile vote either during advance voting, Election Day, or both, as well as the hours fixed for voting.

Where to Vote

During advance voting, voters can choose to vote at either advance voting location.

Melcor Centre (Upper Level SE) – #236, 200 4th Ave S
University Drive Alliance Church, 55 Columbia Blvd W

On Election Day, voters must vote at their assigned voting place. Voting locations will be published on www.elections.ab.ca. Voters may contact Elections Alberta at 1-877-422-VOTE (8683) or the local returning office for assistance.

Key Dates

Election Day is December 18, 2024.
Candidate nominations are now open and close on November 30 at 2:00 pm.
Tuesday, December 10 – Advance voting begins.
Saturday, December 14 – Last day of advance voting.
Wednesday, December 18 – Election Day. All voting places will be open from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Unofficial results will be available after voting closes on Election Day.
Official results will be announced on December 28, at 10:00 am.

Voter Eligibility

Canadian citizens who are at least 18 years of age or older on Election Day are eligible to vote if they are an ordinary resident of Lethbridge-West. If you are unsure if you reside in Lethbridge-West, use the “Where Do I Vote” tool on the Elections Alberta website to determine your eligibility.

Voter Registration

Electors may register to vote online at voterlink.ab.ca until December 4, or by contacting Elections Alberta or the local returning office before 4:00 pm on December 7. Electors can also register to vote at any advance voting location in Lethbridge-West or at their assigned voting place on Election Day. Electors who are already registered to vote at their current address do not need to register again.

Voter Identification

To vote in the Lethbridge-West by-election, electors must prove their identity and current physical address. There are many ways to do this, including:

Providing one piece of Government-issued photo ID, including the voter’s full name, current physical address, and a photo.
Providing two pieces of ID, both containing the voter’s full name and one showing their current physical address.
Having another registered elector with identification who resides in their voting area vouch for them.
Having an authorized signatory complete an attestation form.
More than 50 different types of identification have been authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer to be used as identification to vote. Voters may visit elections.ab.ca/voters/id-required-to-vote for a full list.

Returning Officer

The Returning Officer for Lethbridge-West is Stella Lukinski. The returning office can be contacted at 1-833-483-2827 or via email at ed72@elections.ab.ca.

The returning office is now open at:

Melcor Centre (Upper Level SE)
236, 200 4th Ave S
Lethbridge, AB T1J 4C9

The returning office is open:

Weekdays from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm,
Saturdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and
On voting days from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.

For any questions regarding the Lethbridge-West by-election, visit elections.ab.ca, call 1-877-422-VOTE, or visit @ElectionsAB on social media.

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If you have a news tip, question or concern, please email Lethbridge.newsroom@Pattisonmedia.com.

by David Opinko

Elections Alberta lays out voter engagement plans for Lethbridge-West in wake of Canada Post strike

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