With three mayoral and 11 council candidates in the running for the municipal election in Drumheller, and a total of four ballots to fill out, Drumheller residents will have a lot to think about ahead of the Monday, October 18 municipal election.
To help keep residents safe, the Town of Drumheller will have one polling station available--at the Badlands Community Facility (BCF)--to allow for better sanitation and cleaning.
Town of Drumheller Returning Officer Darryl Drohomerski says in previous years having multiple polling stations throughout the Drumheller Valley meant former returning officers have spent much of their time driving from one station to another.
To accommodate only having one location available for voting, the town will be holding a total of four days of advanced polls-Sunday, October 10, Tuesday, October 12, Thursday, October 14, and Saturday, October 16.
Drohomerski explains on the mayoral ballot, residents can vote for one of the three mayoral candidates-Ed Almond, Mark Chung, and Heather Colberg.
Residents can vote for between one and six candidates on the council ballot. Drohomerski notes any ballot with seven or more ticks on the ballot will be disqualified, however.
Residents will also be able to select up to three Senate candidates and will vote on two referendum questions-whether they are in favour or against Alberta adopting year-round Daylight Saving Time (summer hours), and ending equalization payments. The results of the referendum and senate vote will be announced on Tuesday, October 26.
Drohomerski notes residents are encouraged to bring their own pen or pencil with them to the polling station to help protect against COVID-19 transmission, though single-use pencils will be available.
