It's election day in Alberta and as more people get to go home, some polling station information has changed in recent days. Photo: Danielle Paradis/APTN.
As Albertans go to the polls this week, 3,400 people are still displaced because of wildfires.
Elections Alberta was encouraging people in wildfire areas to vote in advance polls last week.
For those who did not make it to an advance polling station last week, displaced residents are still able to vote.
“Right now we’re moving ahead with voting and every electoral division,” said Robyn Bell, spokesperson for Elections Alberta.
Here are the Alberta polling stations that have been moved.
Prior to a 2018 amendment to the Elections Act, Alberta had no legal mechanism to postpone the election process.
Now, voting day can be postponed, but the process set out by legislation requires the chief electoral officer to go before a judge and make a case for why a postponement is warranted.
“We are receiving regular updates from the Alberta Emergency Management Agency. If something were to happen today, it’s be difficult to set up a new voting location
“So if someone where evacuated at some point today, that is when we would look to delay the election in that specific electoral division,” said Bell.
APTN News confirmed with Athabasca Fort Chipewyan First nation that there is a fire about 8 km from the community. There has not been an evacuation order at this time.
Polling station changes – Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation
Electors previously assigned to Sturgeon Lake Community Hall (voting area 10) will now vote at Valleyview Memorial Hall (4808 50 Street, Valleyview).
Community members that have been evacuated to Edmonton may also vote at Elections Alberta at 100, 11510 Kingsway NW, Edmonton.
A mobile voting station has also been set up at River Cree 300 East Lapotac Boulevard, Enoch, Alta. on Friday, May 26, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Drayton Valley and Poplar Ridge
Voting Areas 015, 016, 017, 018, 019, 020, 021, 022, 023 previously assigned to Omniplex-Mackenzie Conference Centre will now be voting at Clean Energy Technology Centre (5400 22 Avenue, Drayton Valley).
Chipewyan Lake
Voting Area 051 previously assigned to vote at Chip Lake Community Hall will now vote at Wabasca Community Hall (910 Stony Point Road, Wabasca-Desmaris).
Community members that have been evacuated to Slave Lake may also vote at Northern Lakes College – Slave Lake Campus (1201 Main Street SE, Slave Lake)
A mobile voting station has also been set up at Lakeview Sports Centre, 102 Opportunity Drive, Wabasca-Desmarais on Thursday, May 25 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
East Prairie Metis Settlement
Voting Area 019 previously assigned to vote at Community Hall East Prairie will now vote at Royal Canadian Legion Branch #37 (4721 51 Avenue, High Prairie).
Community members that have been evacuated to Slave Lake may also vote at Northern Lakes College – Slave Lake Campus (1201 Main Street SE, Slave Lake)
A mobile voting station has also been set up at Elks Rodeo, High Prairie on Wednesday, May 24 from 11 a.m. 6 p.m.
Peavine Metis Settlement
Voting Area 041 previously assigned to vote at Peavine Recreation Centre will now vote at Northern Lakes College, Peavine.
Community members that have been evacuated to Slave Lake may also vote at Northern Lakes College – Slave Lake Campus (1201 Main Street SE, Slave Lake)
Dene Tha’ First Nation
Voting Area 051 previously assigned to vote at Four Chiefs Complex may vote at Florence MacDougall Community School in High Level.
Voting Area 057 previously assigned to vote at Dene Tha’ Community Arena may vote at Florence MacDougall Community School in High Level.
Electors from Dene Tha’ First Nation may also vote at Meander River Complex, Fort Vermilion Legion Hall (5401 River Road, Fort Vermilion), Tall Cree Band Office – North, or La Crete Arena (10201 99 Avenue, La Crete).
A mobile voting station has also been set up at Four Chiefs Complex, Bushe River on Saturday, May 27, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Little Red River Cree First Nation
Voting Area 042 previously assigned to vote at Jean-Baptiste Sewepagaham School Fox Lake may vote at Florence MacDougall Community School in High Level.
Voting Area 043 previously assigned to vote at Sister Gloria School may vote at Florence MacDougall Community School in High Level.
Voting Area 044 previously assigned to vote at John D’Or Prairie School may vote at Florence MacDougall Community School in High Level.
Electors from Little Red River Cree Nation may also vote at Fort Vermilion Legion Hall (5401 River Road, Fort Vermilion), La Crete Arena (10201 99 Avenue, La Crete), Tall Cree Band Office – North, Rocky Lane Community Hall or Paddle Prairie Seniors Drop-In Centre, Paddle Prairie.
A mobile voting station has also been set up at John D’Or Prairie, Old Health Centre on Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement
Voting Area 027 previously assigned to Paddle Prairie Communi-plex will now vote at Paddle Prairie Seniors Drop-In Centre, Paddle Prairie.
Rainbow Lake
Voting Area 056 previously assigned to vote at Rainbow Lake Recreation Centre will now vote at Florence MacDougall Community School in High Level.
Electors from Rainbow Lake may also vote La Crete Arena (10201 99 Avenue, La Crete)
