Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Elections Alberta has extended voting hours at numerous polling locations across the province following late openings on Monday, a move that will also delay the release of unofficial referendum results.
Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure authorised the extensions under Section 4(3)(a) of Alberta’s Election Act, ensuring voters at affected locations receive the full advertised voting period. Elections Alberta said the delays resulted from various issues that have since been resolved.
The affected polling stations are spread across Calgary, Edmonton and several other electoral divisions, including Airdrie-Cochrane, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Sherwood Park and Spruce Grove-Stony Plain.
While most polling places were scheduled to close at 8 p.m., several locations will remain open later. In Edmonton, Westminster School in the Edmonton-Glenora division is scheduled to stay open until 10 p.m. Other locations with extended hours include Constable Daniel Woodall School in Edmonton-South West, which will remain open until 9:20 p.m., and Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Calgary-North, where voting is extended until 8:44 p.m.
Some polling stations in rural communities will also operate beyond the regular closing time, with several locations scheduled to remain open until 9 p.m.
The extended hours mean unofficial results will not begin to be released until Elections Alberta confirms that every voting location across the province has closed and the results reporting site is live.
Elections Alberta urged voters to remain patient and treat election workers respectfully, noting that staff at polling locations are members of their own communities.
The agency is responsible for administering provincial elections, by-elections and referendums in Alberta as an independent, non-partisan office of the Legislative Assembly.
Voters affected by the extensions can check Elections Alberta’s official information for the closing time applicable to their assigned polling location.
