Town and county prepare for municipal election

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The next municipal election is fast approaching, and residents of Strathmore, Wheatland County, and surrounding municipalities will have the opportunity to choose their next councils.

Eligible voters are registered residents of a respective municipality who are 18 years of age or older and who are Canadian citizens.

Voterlink is the Province of Alberta’s online source which allows voters to register to vote for the first time, or to update their existing registration information. All voters must be preregistered prior to casting their ballot.

When going to vote, one piece of government-issued photo ID must be presented which indicates the voter’s current name and address.

Alternatively, two pieces of ID, one bearing a full name, and the other an address may be used; a voter may be vouched for by another registered elector in their voting area; or an authorized signatory may complete an attestation on their behalf.

In Strathmore, both advance voting and election day ballots may be cast at the Strathmore Civic Centre between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on respective days.

Advance voting will take place on Oct. 15, and Oct. 17. Meanwhile, election day will be on Oct. 20. 

For Wheatland County residents, advance polls will be open Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 15 from noon to 8 p.m., and Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wheatland County administration office.

Polling stations for the various divisions are located as follows:

Division 1: Standard Community Hall, Cluny Community Hall

Division 2: Wheatland County Administrative Building, Nightingale Community Club

Division 3: Carseland Community Hall

Division 4: Cheadle Community Club

Division 5: Lyalta Community Club

Division 6: Rockyford Community Centre, Level Land Hall, Nightingale Community Club, Rosebud Memorial Hall

Division 7: Hussar Community Hall, Dalum Community Hall, Rosebud Memorial Hall

The Division 1 candidate, Shannon Laprise, has been acclaimed, as no other candidate stepped forward to run against her.

Each resident is entitled to the right to vote and may take the necessary leave from their place of employment, if required, to participate in voting during polling station operating dates.

The Strathmore Times and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10 will be hosting a candidate forum for Strathmore candidates at the Legion on Oct. 6. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. with the forum beginning at 7 p.m.

Each candidate will be expected to answer three questions with a two-minute time limit for each response.

Community members are encouraged to submit their questions to election@strathmoretimes.com. The most popular questions received will be selected for the forum.

Attendees will also have an opportunity prior to and following the forum to speak with candidates.