Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Calgary-Shaw by-election has entered its decisive phase, with voting places opening on Monday and electors getting until 8 pm to cast their ballots.
Alberta Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure confirmed that Election Day voting is now underway. Eligible voters are Canadian citizens aged 18 or older who are ordinarily resident in the Calgary-Shaw electoral division.
Those unsure whether their residence falls within the constituency can check their electoral division through Elections Alberta’s “Where Do I Vote?” service.
Voters Must Go to Assigned Locations
Unlike advance voting, those casting their ballot on Election Day must visit their assigned voting location. Electors can find the details on their Where to Vote card or through Elections Alberta.
Voters are also required to establish both their identity and current physical address. This can be done through government-issued photo identification containing the required details, or by presenting two acceptable identification documents, including one showing the current address.
Other provisions allow an eligible elector to vouch for a voter or an authorised signatory to complete an attestation.
More than 50 types of identification have been approved for voting purposes.
Counting Begins After Polls Close
The counting process will begin once voting ends at 8 pm. Unofficial results will be released online as counting progresses.
Election Day ballots will be reported according to voting area, while advance and mobile voting results will be reported by voting place. Special ballot results will be combined and reported in aggregate.
Final Verdict Comes Later
Monday’s count will produce unofficial results, but the winning candidate will be formally declared only after election officials complete their verification process.
The legislated Official Announcement of Results is scheduled for September 24, the tenth day after Election Day.
Until then, Calgary-Shaw voters will have cast their ballots — but the final official word will come after the paperwork, verification and counting are complete.
