Neutrality Plebiscite Information

NEUTRALITY BYLAW | PLEBISCITE

IT'S TIME TO VOTE!


After first reading of Neutrality Bylaw 08-2024, Council decided to move forward with a plebiscite, allowing the public to vote on whether or not the bylaw should be enacted.


WHAT WILL BE ON THE BALLOT?

The question being asked of the electors is:


Should the Town of Barrhead Council pass a Bylaw ensuring public buildings, crosswalks and flags on public property remain neutral, adhering to the following:

CROSSWALKS
Crosswalks will only be painted in the standard white striped pattern ("continental" or "ladder") between two parallel lines, 		andFLAGS
Only the national flags, provincial flag of Alberta, or Town of Barrhead flags are raised on flagpoles on public property or facilities, and
No grandfathering of any existing crosswalks or flags that contravene the new bylaw will be authorized, and


There will be no decorations on Town crosswalks or displaying of flags supporting political, social or religious movements or commercial entities.


We know there are several questions surrounding voting, including locations, times, advanced voting and special ballots. We've compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you out! If you still have questions regarding voting, reach out to us by phone at 780-674-3301 or email at town@barrhead.ca

Click here for more information on the Neutrality Bylaw 08-2024.

Click here to find out how this affects programs, events, and displays you're accustomed to in the Town of Barrhead.


Updated October 23, 2024, 9:11 pm.

A person is eligible to vote in an election held pursuant to the Local Authorities Election Act if the person:

  • is at least 18 years old,
  • is a Canadian Citizen, and
  • resides in Alberta and the person's place of residence is located in the local jurisdiction on election day.

Local Authorities Election Act 47(1)

Voting will take place on December 2, 2024, between 10:00 am and 8:00 pm.

The voting station will be located at:

Barrhead Seniors Drop-in Centre
5437 49 Street (Barrhead Sportsgrounds)

Barrhead, AB

Institutional voting stations for residents and patients will also be in place at each of the following*:

  • Barrhead Healthcare Centre
  • Keir Care
  • Shepherd's Care
  • Hillcrest
  • Jubilee Manor
  • Golden Crest
  • Klondike Place

*Please note: patients and residents of these institutions MUST be residents of Barrhead and provide proof of such.

IN ORDER TO VOTE, YOU MUST PRODUCE IDENTIFICATION FOR INSPECTION.

The identification must be one of the following:

  1. One piece of identification issued by a Canadian government, whether federal, provincial, or local, or any agency of that government that contains a photograph of the person, the person's name and the address of the person's residence.
  2. One piece of identification authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer under the Election Act for the purposes of section 100(2)(b) of that Act that establishes the person's name and current address.

For the purposes of the Local Authorities Election Act, the place of residence is governed by the following rules: 

  1. a person may be a resident of only one place at a time for the purposes of voting under this Act;
  2. 1. if a person has more than one residence in Alberta, that person shall, in accordance with subsection (1.1), designate one place of residence as the person's place of residence for the purposes of this Act;
  3. the residence of a person is the place where the person lives and sleeps and to which, when the person is absent, the person intends to return;
  4. a person does not lose the person's residence by leaving the person's home for a temporary purpose;
  5. subject to clause (e), a student who:
    1. attends an educational institution within or outside Alberta;
    2. temporarily rents accommodation for the purpose of attending an educational institution; and
    3. has family members who are resident in Alberta and with whom the student ordinarily resides when not attending an educational institution is deemed to reside with those family members.
  6. if a person leaves the area with the intention of making the person's residence elsewhere, the person loses the person's residence within the area.


(1.1) For the purpose of subsection (1)(a.1), a person shall designate the person's place of residence in accordance with the following factors in the following order of priority:

  1. the address shown on the person’s driver's license or motor vehicle operator’s license issued by or on behalf of the Government of Alberta or an identification card issued by or on behalf of the Government of Alberta;
  2. the address to which the person’s income tax correspondence is addressed and delivered; or
  3. the address to which the person’s mail is addressed and delivered.

Local Authorities Election Act, 48(1)

I am a resident of the County of Barrhead, can I vote?

No. This is a Town of Barrhead plebiscite. Only eligible Town of Barrhead residents can vote.


I am a resident of the County of Barrhead, but I own houses and/or rental properties in the Town, can I vote?

No. Please refer to the "Rules of Residence" drop down for information on what is considered your primary residence. What address is listed on your driver's license, other official government ID, where your income tax correspondence is delivered, or the address to which your mail is addressed and delivered is your primary residence.

Your rental property provides a primary residence for your tenants. They may use that address to vote in Town of Barrhead elections and plebiscites. As a County of Barrhead resident, you cannot vote on this plebiscite.


Updated October 23, 2024, 9:11 pm.

All electors are eligible to vote at the advance voting opportunity.

Advanced voting will take place on November 20, 2024, and November 28, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

The voting station will be located at:

Town of Barrhead Council Chambers
Barrhead Administration Office, 5014 50 Ave

Barrhead, Alberta

In order to vote, you must produce identification for inspection.

If an elector does not understand the English language, an interpreter may translate the "Instructions for Electors" as well as respond to questions from the elector that are necessary for the purposes of the election.  Before acting as an interpreter, it is required that the person make a statement on the prescribed form; this is the Statement of Interpreter, Elector Who is Unable to Vote in the Usual Manner, Friend or Relative of Elector Who is Unable to Vote in the Usual Manner (Form 17).

If an elector  is unable to vote in the usual manner, they may request assistance.  This assistance may be provided by a Deputy Returning Officer, a friend, or a relative.  The elector must verbally make the prescribed statement which is the Statement of Interpreter, Elector Who is Unable to Vote in the Usual Manner, Friend or Relative of Elector Who is Unable to Vote in the Usual Manner (Form 17).  The friend or relative of the elector is also required to make the Statement of Interpreter, Elector Who is Unable to Vote in the Usual Manner, Friend or Relative of Elector Who is Unable to Vote in the Usual Manner (Form 17).

Voting is by secret ballot.

Except as permitted in the case of an incapacitated elector, no other person shall be in the voting compartment with the elector.

Except as permitted in the case of an incapacitated elector, no person shall be in a position where he/she is able to see how the elector marks the ballot.

It is an offence for an elector to show his ballot so another person can see how he/she voted, except as permitted in the case of an incapacitated elector.

No person shall be required to reveal how he/she has voted.

An elector may not vote for more than the number of persons to be elected to an office.

If applicable, an elector may vote once on each bylaw or question.

An elector may vote only once in an election.

Local Authorities Election Act