Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Elections Alberta has issued special instructions for voters heading to the Edmonton EXPO Centre on Friday, October 16, as a separate event hosted by Forever Canadian is scheduled to take place at the venue.
The electoral authority said its advance voting location for Electoral District 34 is operating at Hall H throughout the five-day advance voting period, from October 13 to 17. The polling location is open daily from 9 am to 8 pm.
In a statement issued on October 15, Elections Alberta said it was coordinating with the EXPO Centre to prevent referendum advertising from taking place in the designated voting area. The authority has put measures in place involving parking areas, building access and physical barriers inside the venue.
The advisory is intended to help voters access the polling location while ensuring that election advertising rules are followed.
Where Should Voters Enter The Edmonton EXPO Centre?
Electors visiting the advance voting location on Friday have been directed to use Entrances 1 and 2 at the east end of the EXPO Centre.
Elections Alberta said these entrances will be used by both election staff and voters accessing the polling station in Hall H.
The authority is also arranging parking and access to keep the voting route separate from areas used by event attendees. Additional parking staff and site monitors will be present at the venue on Friday.
Voters should follow on-site directions and allow extra time to locate the designated entrance, particularly if they are unfamiliar with the venue.
What Are The Parking Rules For Voters?
Elections Alberta has confirmed that parking is free for people who are at the EXPO Centre specifically to cast their ballots, for the duration of their visit to vote.
Six parking spaces have been reserved exclusively for electors near the entrance to improve accessibility. Voters should note that the free parking arrangement applies while they are at the venue to vote, rather than for attendance at other events.
The authority is working with venue management on the parking area and access routes to reduce the possibility of referendum advertising reaching the designated voting place.
Can Referendum Advertising Take Place At The EXPO Centre?
Elections Alberta said referendum advertising is prohibited within the area designated as the voting place under Section 135(2) of Alberta’s Election Act.
However, the entire EXPO Centre has not been designated as a voting place. At large venues that host multiple activities, the restrictions apply to the specific area designated for voting, rather than automatically covering the whole building.
According to Elections Alberta, the designated area includes the parking area immediately outside the advance voting location, the nearest entryway and the interior space where voting is conducted.
The authority said it has taken steps to manage these areas and that election staff will ensure the relevant provisions are followed.
What Has Elections Alberta Asked The Event Organisers To Do?
Elections Alberta said Forever Canadian contacted the authority to seek guidance on complying with election legislation for its event.
The organisers have been asked to avoid parking areas, parking entrances, building entrances and interior spaces that voters will use or that are immediately adjacent to the areas required for access to the polling location on Friday.
The arrangements are intended to keep the designated voting area free from referendum advertising while allowing advance voting to continue at Hall H.
Voters planning to cast their ballots at the Edmonton EXPO Centre can visit between 9 am and 8 pm on October 16. They should use Entrances 1 and 2 on the east side of the venue and follow the parking and access instructions provided on-site.
