Alberta’s 29th general election is quite literally right around the corner.
On Tuesday, May 5—a year ahead of schedule—Albertans will head to the polls to determine who will represent our electoral divisions and lead our province for the next four years.
In Jasper the ballot is sparse, with only three candidates vying for the position of West Yellowhead MLA. In the running is PC incumbent Robin Campbell, Wildrose candidate Stuart Taylor and NDP candidate Eric Rosendahl.
The last time West Yellowhead had only three candidates on the ballot was in 2001.
In the last general election, held in 2012, there was a choice of five candidates, with representation from both the Liberals and the Alberta Party—(both turned out to be inconsequential candidates that together tallied only 20 per cent of the vote, with the Alberta Party garnering 17 per cent and the Liberals three).
Although the choices this year are slim, that doesn’t negate the importance of casting a ballot on May 5.
Right now, the easy choice is to be apathetic and, of course, the hard choice is to do our homework and make an informed decision, adding our voices to the democratic process.
In 2012, Alberta had its highest voter turn out in nearly 20 years, with 57 per cent of eligible voters—nearly 1.3 million out of a possible 2.3 million voters—casting a ballot.
The last time the province saw numbers that high was in 1993 when Ralph Klien led the PC party. Numbers tanked after that, hitting a historic low in 2008, with only 41 per cent of voters visiting the polls.
Looking way back, the province’s highest turnout was in 1935. That year 82 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots, removing the United Farmers of Alberta from power.
With 57 per cent marking a 20-year high, it’s hard to believe that at one time more than 80 per cent of voters turned up to have their say.
To add your voice to this year’s provincial election, visit the Jasper Activity Centre May 5 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. and cast your ballot. Advanced polls are also available at the activity centre from April 29 to May 2, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If you’re on the voters list you don’t need to bring identification to vote.
If you aren’t, bring one piece of government issued photo ID with your current address and name, and if you don’t have that, be sure to bring two pieces of ID with your name on it. One of those pieces must also have your current address on it.
This is our chance to have our say in who represents Jasper and our province—don’t miss it.
It could be another four years before you get a chance. Although, that’s not a guarantee. As we saw this year, it might just be three.
See you at the polls.
