Election races are underway in the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre, Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills and Innisfail-Sylvan Lake ridings, with incumbents in each constituency facing challengers, say officials.
The election writ was dropped on Monday, with Alberta voters going to the polls in 87 electoral districts on May 29. The advanced polls take place May 23-27.
In the Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills riding, incumbent UCP MLA Nathan Cooper is facing off against NDP candidate Cheryl Hunter Loewen and The Independence Party of Alberta candidate Katherine Kowalchuck.
In the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake riding, incumbent UCP MLA Devin Dreeshen is facing off against NDP candidate Jason Heistad and The Independence Party of Alberta candidate David Reid.
In the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre riding, incumbent UCP MLA Jason Nixon is facing off against Advantage Party of Alberta candidate Carol Nordlund-Kinsey, NDP candidate Vance Buchwald, The Independence Party of Alberta candidate Fred Schwieger, and independent candidate Tim Hoven.
Candidate nominations are open until 2 p.m. on May 11 so further candidates could still join the local races.
A number of all-candidate forums are already scheduled in the district.
A forum is scheduled for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake candidates at the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion Branch #104 on May 16 starting at 7 p.m. The forum is being sponsored by the Innisfail and District Chamber of Commerce.
A forum is scheduled for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills candidates at the Didsbury Memorial Complex on May 3 starting at 7 p.m. That forum is being sponsored by Mountain View Freedom.
A second forum for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills candidates is scheduled for the May 10 in the TransCanada Theatre in Olds on May 10 starting at 7 p.m. That forum is being moderated by Dr. Ben Cecil and sponsored by the Olds & District Chamber of Commerce, Mountain View Publishing, 96.5 CKFM and Rock 104 FM.
Sundre and District Chamber of Commerce officials say a Sundre forum for Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre candidates is in the works.
New this election, all voters are required to prove their name and physical address to vote, according to Elections Alberta.
To do this, a resident may provide one piece of government-issued photo ID, including their full name, current address, and photo, provide two pieces of ID, both containing their full name, and with one showing their current physical address, have another registered elector in your voting area vouch for you, or have an authorized signatory complete an attestation form.
Information on how to become a candidate, applying for a special ballot, registering to vote, and other election questions is available at electionsalberta.ab.ca.
