The municipal byelection advance polls are now open and voters who will not be able to lace their ballot on election day can take advantage of the advance polls. Until the municipal byelection is held the advance polls will be open in Ward 1 on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Eligible voters must be a minimum of 18 years old, they must be a citizen of Canada, they must be an Alberta resident since at least September 30, 2014, and they must be a resident of Fort MacMurray on the day that the byelection is held. Advance polls are considered a smart move because they allow voters to cast a ballot while minimizing the lines at polling locations on election day. Each voter will be required to show either one piece of government issued ID with an address or two pieces of identification from the list that can be found at http://www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/Municipal-Government/Elections/Voter-Eligibility.htm.

Many are excited about the opening of the advance polls for the Wood Buffalo municipal byelection. The candidates vying for a spot on the council include Monte Vickerson, Verna Murphy, Mike Durocher, Mohammad Dogar, Colleen Tatum, Veronica Doleman, and Chris Flett. Advance polls provide an opportunity for early voting, and many are unable to make it to the ballot box on election day for one reason or another. Some may be working at one of the close by oilsands camps, others may not be in town on election day, and some may have other priorities. The ability to vote early is a privilege that many appreciate.