Drive-through voting coming to a polling station in Lethbridge this fall
The city of Lethbridge will be introducing a number of new initiatives, including drive-through voting, in an effort to increase voter turnout in the October municipal election.
“This is a very important vote,” said Lethbridge returning officer Bonnie Hilford.
“These people that they will be electing will be in office for the next four years, and making some very big and very important decisions in the community on the citizen’s behalf.”
The municipal general election will be held October 18, 2021, with Albertans choosing their mayors, municipal councillors and school board representatives.
Hilford said the provincial government may also be adding senate or referendum questions to the ballot, “So it’s important to me in my role as returning officer to coordinate this election so that citizens of the community have the information and the ability to vote.”
AMENDING ELECTION OPERATIONS
With that goal in mind, Lethbridge and Red Deer are amending their election operations to implement a number of initiatives to make voting easier and provide more information to the voting public.
Lethbridge voters
It will be the first time these steps will be tried anywhere in Alberta, with the aim of improving the dismal turnout for municipal elections.
Hilford said on average, the turnout has been around 31 per cent for the five previous municipal elections. In 2017, the turnout was only 27 per cent.
“So that is generally pretty low,” added Hilford.
MORE VOTING OPTIONS
This October the city will provide more options for voting, with a focus on convenience, flexibility and efficiency.
Instead of requiring people to vote at a specific location, eligible voters will be able to cast their ballot at any of the city's 14 voting stations.
“So if you are working across the city, or shopping, you can vote anywhere that is convenient for you,” said Hilford.
That will also apply to anyone voting in the advanced votes, which start October 1.
The city will also be releasing a web tool, so people can monitor lineups and wait times at each of the voting stations.
DRIVE-THROUGH VOTING STATION PLANNED
A drive-through voting station is also planned, likely in the parking lot at Exhibition Park, using three kiosks so people can vote without having to leave their vehicle.
“At the first kiosk they would pick up their registration form and fill it out,” said Hilford.
She said voters would drop off their registration form and pick up their ballot at the second kiosk, and as they drive to the third kiosk they would place their ballot in the tabulator.
Lethbridge city council
The city is also taking steps to make it easier for people to access information about the candidates by adding several new initiatives including:
• An information session for candidates running for mayor or councillor from a panel of retiring members of council, to be recorded and posted to the website in July;
• Information videos from each candidate running for mayor, councillor and school board trustee (public and separate), recorded and posted on the website after the September 20 nominations day deadline;
• An accessible voting station for the blind during the advance vote.
INITIATIVES WELCOME
Councillor Rob Miyashiro is not running for re-election, but he welcomes any initiatives that would encourage more people to vote.
“That’s the way you can really elicit change in the community by electing people that you think are going to move the community ahead,” added Miyashiro.
He maintains if you make it easier for people to vote, you will get a better turnout, adding that could potentially change the way council looks, and maybe even change the outcome in the mayoral, and school board races.
“People need to understand that the decision they make not to vote can really affect how the city runs,” said Miyashiro.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.