Voters must register for 2025 Municipal Election

By Lacie Nairn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Residents interested in exercising their voting rights during the 2025 municipal elections will need to ensure that they are registered to vote in the upcoming municipal election before September 15, 2025.

 This is the first municipal election cycle where voters will need to register to vote following changes made by the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 which came into effect on October 31, 2024 and made a voter registry mandatory for all municipalities across the province.

 “The Minister of Municipal Affairs stated that the aim was to help local governments administer elections smoothly and fairly, by using a single source of information (the Elections Alberta provincial voter registry) to create local voting registries,” shares Town of Drumheller Returning Officer Mitchell Visser. He notes, as far as he can tell, the Town of Drumheller has never used a voter registry.

Previously, municipalities could implement a voter registry by implementing their own municipal bylaw and with their own data, or operate without a list. However, this could pose potential risks for increased opportunities for voter fraud.

 To be eligible to vote in the upcoming municipal election, a person must be at least 18 years old on election day, a Canadian citizen, and a resident within the municipal boundaries of the municipality they plan to vote in. While a voter may reside in more than one jurisdiction, Mr. Visser notes for the purpose of voting in a municipal election, “they must designate one location as their primary place of residence” and vote only within that jurisdiction.

 Voters are asked to register prior to September 15, 2025 and at the time of voting provide at least one piece of photo identification issued by a Canadian government, whether federal, provincial, or local, or an agency of that government. Mr. Visser shares an Alberta Driver’s License or Identification Card are recommended as these identifications include your full legal name, current address, and photograph. Additional information about voter requirements can be found on the Town of Drumheller website.

Those interested in voting in the upcoming election will need to visit voterlink.ab.ca and check whether they are registered; those unable to access the online portal can register over the phone by calling 780-427-7191 or emailing info@elections.ab.ca.