DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN LAC STE. ANNE COUNTY

What you need to know in order to vote in the October 16th Municipal Election in the County of Lac Ste Anne

We think that it is very important that everyone exercises their democratic right to vote in this upcoming Municipal Election. It is also important that all voters inform themselves as to what the Voter Identification Requirements are.

We also believe that all Candidates under Section 69 of the Act should duly request and appoint a Candidate’s scrutineer. A scrutineer has the responsibility of ensuring that all voters that present themselves at the polling station are prepared to vote, are voting in the correct jurisdiction and are eligible voters.

There are a number of criteria that quantify who can and who cannot vote in municipal elections. LSARA wanted to ensure that all eligible voters in the County are prepared to comply with the Local Authorities Election Act      VIEW THE ACT HERE

In short we asked Alberta Municipal Affairs for Clarification and this is what we were told.

Voter Eligibility is located in section 47 of the Local Authorities Election Act. A person may vote in a municipal election if a person is:

• At least 18 years old
• Is a Canadian Citizen
• Has resided in Alberta for 6 consecutive months immediately preceding election day.
• The person’s place of residence is located in the area on election day.

For the purposes of the Local Authorities Election Act, rules of residence are established under section 48. The Act stipulates that if a person has more than one residence in Alberta, that person shall designate one place of residence as the person’s place of residence.

Section 48 also establishes factors, in order of priority, to assist in determining a person’s place of residence:

• The address shown on the person’s driver’s licence or identification card issued by or on behalf of the Government of Alberta.
• The address to which the person’s income tax correspondence is addressed and delivered.
• The address to which the person’s mail is addressed and delivered.

In addition a Form 8 will be required and complied to.

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IT IS AN OFFENSE TO SIGN A FALSE STATEMENT

The offence is punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than 6 months or potentially both.

Additionally, this would create a situation wherein the election results can be challenged as a voter was ineligible. The consequence of that is that there would be a process with the Court of Queens Bench which in turn could result in the Election being thrown out and have to be conducted again.

IT IS UP TO YOU TO KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

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