County of Barrhead prepares for 2025 municipal election

BARRHEAD - Eligible voters for the 2025 County of Barrhead municipal election who cannot make it to the voting station or an advanced poll due to a physical disability can cast their ballot from home.

To take advantage of the service, voters must apply to the county before the election to determine whether they meet the eligibility requirements.

The resolution was one of four approved by County of Barrhead councillors during their Dec. 3 meeting in preparation for the upcoming Oct. 20, 2025, municipal election.

The other resolutions were to appoint Pam Dodds, the executive assistant to the county manager, as the returning officer, county manager Debbie Oyarzun as the substitute returning officer, and authorize an advanced poll.

Oyarzun stated that the process, under Alberta's Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA), is very regimented and has strict requirements.

Nominations for the municipal election open Jan. 1 and is open until Sept. 22.

She added that Dodds was the county's returning officer for the 2021 municipal election, and she said things went very smoothly under her supervision, including the extra polling needed for the Pembina Hills School Division trustee election.

Oyarzun also noted that, as the municipality's population is over 5,000, the county is required to have an advanced vote under the LAEA.

"You don't [get to pick the date, locations, hours]," she said, adding those details are up to the returning officer.

Coun. Walter Preugschas asked who the returning officer would be if they or the substitute could not fulfil the role.

Dodds replied if that were to happen, council must appoint a new and substitute returning officers.

Deputy reeve Marvin Schatz asked if the municipality would receive extra money from the province if they approved the casting a vote from home option.

Oyarzun said no but added that it would likely have a little cost involved, noting that no one applied for the service in the 2021 municipal election.

Dodds explained earlier in the meeting that if the resident met the criteria, the municipality would send a deputy returning officer to their residence.

"[The voting process] is the same; we take a ballot box, and they put their vote in when ready," she said.

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com