You will see a change when you head to the polls this fall for the upcoming municipal election in our city. Voters will be able to cast a ballot at any polling station across Lethbridge. Instead of having dedicated voting stations like years prior, anyone can vote at a station of their choosing. The City Clerk for the City of Lethbridge, Bonnie Hilford, says this is the first time in Alberta that this initiative has been done. The municipal elections will take place in October.
Voter turnout for the last five election was a dismal 31% on average.
The City of Lethbridge is planning a number of other initiatives to try to help voter turnout.
- New drive-through voting
- A web tool for monitoring lineups at each voting station
- A video will be posted by July to the city’s website featuring candidates running for Mayor or Councillor from a panel of retiring members of Council
- More information from candidates that are running for Mayor, Councillor, and School Board Trustee will be recorded and posted to the website after the September 20 Nominations Day deadline
- A voting station for the blind will be available during the Advance Vote
As in past elections, the following services will also be offered in 2021:
- Advance Voting. Three weekends of advance voting commencing October 1 as follows:
- The first weekend will be downtown, with the second and third in the east and west.
Advance Voting is open to all voters to be able to vote anywhere
- Institutional Voting for assisted living, hospitals, and residences is open for voting
- Elector Assistance at Home for those not able to get out and vote will have the chance to vote at their own place
This year’s municipal election will have Lethbridge voters vote for eight Councillors, one Mayor, and Lethbridge School Division or Holy Spirit School Division Trustees. Nomination forms will be accepted until September 20 at 12pm.