Voting in Edmonton: A quick primer

Polls open at 7:30 a.m. in city's nine ridings and remain open for 12 hours

More than 147,500 residents in the nine federal Edmonton ridings already have cast their ballot during four days of advance polling, an increase of 11 per cent from two years ago.

But for those who will be heading out to the polls today to vote in the federal election, here's what you need to know.

WHAT YOU NEED TO VOTE

Voting in Alberta starts early, with all polls open from 7:30 a.m., and continues until 7:30 p.m. As long as you are in line before the end of the voting hours, you will be able to vote. Residents can vote only at the assigned polling station listed on voter information cards mailed to registered voters.

Those without an information card can still register to vote at their assigned poll, which can be found online, or can use the online voter registration service to print out a certificate that should be brought to the polling station. This form can also be used to update address information. Voters must be Canadian citizens, at least 18 years old on election day, and able to prove their identity and address.

Voters are encouraged to bring their information cards with them as well as a piece of personal identification with a photo, such as a driver's licence. If you don't have photo ID, two pieces of identification with your name — at least one of them with an address — will be accepted.

Polling stations will follow COVID-19 protocols including mandatory masking, physical distancing, use of hand sanitizer, and Plexiglas barriers.

Voters are encouraged to bring their own pencil. Failing that, pencils handed out that will be single-use only. Polling stations won't be subject to capacity restrictions or the proof-of-vaccine program launching in Alberta today.

ADVANCE VOTING

Across the country, about 5,780,000 Canadians have voted in advance polls, up 18.46 per cent from the 2019 election. In Edmonton, the riding of Edmonton Griesbach had the largest increase in advance voters, up 38.5 per cent from the last election. Only in the riding of Edmonton Mill Woods were fewer votes cast before election day than in 2019.

CLOSE RACES

Eight of Edmonton's nine ridings were represented in the last Parliament by Conservative members, all of whom are running for re-election. Heather Mcpherson of the NDP was the only non-conservative in the House of Commons from the city, serving the riding of Edmonton Strathcona, and is running for re-election. Without any Liberal representation, Edmonton didn't have a member in the previous cabinet for the first time since 1980.

Three races are coming down to the wire in Edmonton, according to polling data from 338Canada.

Two Liberal candidates are in close contests with the Conservative incumbents in Edmonton Centre and Edmonton Mill Woods. In Edmonton Griesbach, New Democrat Blake Desjarlais is polling neck and neck with two-term Conservative incumbent Kerry Diotte.

The Conservative incumbents have significant leads in the other six ridings in Edmonton as well as the Sherwood Park-fort Saskatchewan riding.

Election updates will be posted at edmontonjournal.com as the day unfolds.