You are eligible to vote if you meet ALL of the following criteria:

• At least 18 years of age
• Canadian citizen
• Resident of Clearwater County
• Provided the required proof of eligibility as required by Section 53 of the Local Authorities Election Act.

VOTER IDENTIFICATION

In order to vote in the upcoming municipal elections, voters will be required to provide proof of their name and home address. The following types of verification meet the standard provincial requirement for one piece of identification:

• Bank or credit card statement or personal cheque
• Correspondence issued by a school, college or university
• Government cheque or cheque stub
• Income or property tax assessment notice
• Insurance policy or coverage card
• Letter from a public curator, public guardian or public trustee
• Pension plan statement of benefits, contributions or participation
• Residential lease or mortgage statement
• Statement of government benefits (for example, employment insurance, old-age security, social assistance, disability support or child tax benefit)
• Utility bill (for example, telephone, public utilities commission, television, hydro, gas or water)
• Vehicle ownership, registration, or insurance certificate
• Identification issued by a Canadian government (federal, provincial or local, or an agency of that government) that contains a photograph of the elector and their name and current address
• Proof of Identity and Residence for Tenants issued by a property management company
• Proof of Identity and Residence for Incarcerated Elector issued by the authorized representative of a correctional institution
• Proof of Identity and Residence issued by a First Nations band or reserve
• Proof of Identity and Residence for Post-Secondary Student Elector in Residence issued by a post-secondary institution
• Proof of Identity and Residence for Homeless Elector issued by a facility that provides services to the homeless
• Proof of Identity and Residence for Elector in Long Term Care or Supportive Living Facility issued by supportive living facility or treatment centre
• Supportive Living Facility issued by a supportive living facility or treatment centre

If a voter’s identification shows a post office box number as the address instead of a residential or legal address, it can be accepted as verification of current address if it is in reasonable distance to the voting jurisdiction.

An elected authority could, by bylaw, require additional verification or a combination of verification to establish the person’s specific current address.

See the Voter identification requirements for more information.

Don't know what ward/division you live in? New this year, you can find your division on your 2021 Assessment & Tax notice. You may vote at either polling station within your Division, but it is ideal that you do vote at the recommended polling station. Please note that upcoming tax notices (delivered via mail) will include information indicating your Division.

In the meantime, here are Clearwater County Division Maps:

• Council Division Map
• Division 1
• Division 2
• Division 3
• Division 4
• Division 5
• Division 6
• Division 7

If you would like a large scale Division Map of the County or have any questions as to what Division you live in please email swalter@clearwatercounty.ca  or call 403-845-4444.

What if I’m unable to vote on Monday, October 18th?

The Provincial Government has determined the date for general municipal elections in Alberta is the third Monday in October, as set out in the Local Authorities Election Act.  Clearwater County recognizes, however, that there are voters in the County who may be unable to make it to voting stations on that day to cast their ballot. To ensure all those who want to take part in the democratic process are able to do so, Clearwater County will be providing an advance vote day on Monday, October 4, 2021.

Advance voting prior to Election Day will be on Monday, October 4th will be available at two locations:

Voting Station No. 1                  Rocky Mountain House, AB

Voting Station No. 2                  Caroline, AB

from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Advance voting is open to all eligible voters in Clearwater County.

Eligible voters are able to attend an advance voting station and cast votes for Councillors and school board trustee, no matter what division they live in. This is different than Election Day, where voters must attend a designated voting station in their division.

Requirements for eligibility and identification remain the same for advance votes as on Election Day. Voters will also still be required to sign the voter registry, stating they are eligible and entitled to vote in the Clearwater County General Election.

If voters are physically unable, going to be absent from the jurisdiction, candidate, official agent or scrutineer who may be located on Election Day at a voting station other than that for the elector’s place of residence, advance voting and Election Day, Clearwater County is providing the opportunity to vote by special ballot.

At its November 10^th Regular meeting, Council passed a bylaw allowing the Returning Officer to provide special ballots which may be requested:

• in writing, 
• by telephone
• in person, or 
• by email

The Returning Officer then provides each approved voter with a special mail ballot package. It is the voter’s responsibility to follow the included instructions and return the package to the Returning Officer. Special ballot packages received by the Returning Officer remain sealed until the close of voting and then are opened and counted.

Applications for special ballots will be accepted during the County’s regular business hours between August 1^st in the year of an election and 5:00 p.m. on Election Day. 

For any questions regarding advance votes, or to sign up for a special mail ballot package, please contact Returning Officer Sabrina Walter at swalter@clearwatercounty.ca, or 403-845-4444.