Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
Jasper鈥檚 municipal election will feature two advanced polls and health measures at the Jasper Activity Centre, while proof of vaccination will not be required.
Returning officer Christine Nadon said there is usually only one advanced poll, but another was added this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
鈥淲e want to try to minimize the number of people who show up here in one day,鈥� she said.
Voters can enter through both the east and west doors of the Activity Centre and will exit through the loading doors on the east side, but exceptions can be made for those with mobility challenges.
Voters must bring photo identification that confirms they are a resident of Jasper, and they must be a Canadian citizen and 18 years of age or older.
Similar to the recent federal election, there will be masking, physical distancing and hand sanitizing.
鈥淭hat is very much in line with what the federal government did but also the advice we鈥檙e getting from the province is that it is safe to run an election in that matter,鈥� Nadon said.
鈥淎nd also the Restriction Exemption Program essentially cannot apply to voters, because as part of their democratic right, that Restriction Exemption program is not applicable.鈥�
People can bring their own pencil if they want to avoid physical contact, but pencils will continue to be provided.
Special ballots are available for those out of town on voting days or unable to attend in person due to physical limitations.
Two election clerks will also conduct institutional votes for residents living in Seton - Jasper Healthcare Centre, Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge and Pine Grove Seniors Manor.
This election, residents will vote for a mayor and six councillors out of three mayoral candidates and 11 councillor candidates.
There will also be the senate nominee vote as well as provincial referendums on whether to remove the principle of equalization payments from Canada's constitution and also if Alberta should remain on Daylight Saving Time (summer hours) year-round.
Nadon said they were running the senate vote and the referendum questions for Improvement District 12, lands that are not municipal but within the national park.
Election day is at the Jasper Activity Centre in the multipurpose hall from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 18.
The advance votes are also at the Jasper Activity Centre and will occur on the two Wednesdays prior (Oct. 6 and 13) from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Live results on election day and more details on voting are available at
