Some voters want polling station changed
Last Updated: Friday, January 6, 2006 | 12:48 PM ET
CBC News
A number of people who live around Easyford and Drayton Valley, say there is a polling station right in the community – yet many are being sent to communities half an hour away.
Sharon Carlson, who lives in Easyford, says she is supposed to drive the 30 minutes to Lodgepole, while her sons – who live with her – are to cast a ballot in Drayton Valley, 20 kilometres away.
"I think it's stupid," she said, adding that not only is there a polling station in Easyford – she lives right beside it.
Margaret Kellgren says she lives closer to Drayton Valley, but is being told to drive the 15 kilometres to Easyford to vote. She had a similar problem in the 2004 election, and filled out forms that were supposed rectify the problem.
"It's just frustrating, because you can't get any satisfaction," she said, adding she will likely vote in the advance poll to get around the problem.
Elections Canada in Alberta says there were problems in the last election determining which polling station was closest for a number of rural voters, but claims most of the problems have been fixed.
"There's been a tremendous amount of work done on this," said Andrea Marantz, an Elections Canada spokesperson. "Doubtless there are still a few in the wrong polling division. It's a problem that can be simply corrected."
For this election, anyone questioning where they're to vote can call the returning office in Drayton Valley to change their polling station.
