With election day for Olds just days away, here's a few things you'll need to know before you go and vote.
First off, you'll need a driver's licence or another form of government-issued identification.
This is the first year in Alberta where voters are required to have identification at the polls, said Bill Johnston, Olds' returning officer.
He added the identification does not need a photograph.
Voters must then sign a form stating they are entitled to vote.
To be eligible to vote, you must be 18 years of age or older and a Canadian citizen and you must have resided in Alberta for six consecutive months immediately preceding election day.
Your place of residence on election day must be in Olds if you want to vote in this community.
For those people who can't reach the polling station, Johnston said they will still have a chance to vote thanks to a mobile voting service.
“We will be going to, for example, the hospital and the seniors homes on election day,” he said.
Olds uses electronic voting, Johnston said, and the process of selecting a candidate is simple.
“You push a button opposite the candidate's name and then when you're satisfied that that is the candidate you want to vote for, you press another button to confirm your vote. So if you push the wrong button, you can still change it until the push the (confirm) button.”
Election day is Oct. 21 and the polling station will be located at the Olds Royal Canadian Legion at 5241 46 St. (Highway 27).
Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the community will be choosing from a list of three candidates running for the mayor's seat—Art Baker, incumbent Judy Dahl and Shirley Schultz—as all council seats were acclaimed.
The final advance poll will take place on Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in council chambers at Olds Town Hall.
For more information, visit the town's website at www.olds.ca or call Johnston at 403-507-3441.
