High River voters will have extra opportunities to cast their ballots during this pandemic municipal election.

Returning Officer Jody Hipkin says they're having more advance polls than they normally would.

"We were planning for four knowing that COVID was still going to be around however in the last few weeks here with the recent changes and how the pandemic numbers have been going we added two extra days and those were the Fridays, the eighth and the fifteenth were added at the last minute.".

The municipal polling station at the Cargill Field House is not included in the Restrictions Exemption Program so voters won't be asked to show proof of vaccination to vote.

"The polling station is actually exempt from those requirements so there are no requirements for proof of vaccine or anyone to show anything in that regard," Hipkin explains. "The right to vote supersedes any of those measurements so we just want to see as many people come out as possible."

Voting stations will have reduced capacity, there'll be physical distancing, Plexiglas barriers, masks must be worn and high touch surfaces will be sanitized.

Masks and sanitizer will also be provided.

She says voters do need to show identification that shows they live in High River so the easiest piece of ID is a driver's licence but there are other options like any government-issued ID or a utility bill that shows your address.

Advanced polling and Election Day voting dates and times are as follows:

Thursday, October 7 from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 14 from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Election Day: Monday, October 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

 

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