The municipal election is only 18 days away, but if you can't cast your ballot on October 16, you can still make sure your vote is counted.

Advanced voting starts this weekend, and Returning Officer Sharon Pollyck said literally anyone in Airdrie can take advantage of advanced voting.

"There are no restrictions on attending an advanced vote. Anybody can attend an advanced vote, it's just exactly the same as attending a voting station on election day."

Pollyck also said there are options available if you can't make it to advanced voting days or to a voting station on October 16.

"You still can apply to the City for a special ballot, and that's a mail in ballot. You would be provided with a special ballot, and as long as it was mailed in and received by the Friday before the election, than you would be able to vote and your vote would be counted in the election."

Any requests for a special ballot should take into account that the mail in ballots and acceptable ID need to be recieved before October 13. Special ballots are available to anyone that cannot make it to a polling station because of physical incapacity, absence from Airdrie, or is involved in the election as a returning officer, deputy returning officer, constable, candidate, official agent or scrutineer located at a voting station other than their designated voting station on election day.

Pollyck did not have stats available on how many people usually take advantage of advanced voting or special ballots, but she called the number respectable.

"I would say our numbers the last couple of times in our advanced votes, since they've removed the restrictions, they're pretty respectable numbers, and we probably have between 50 and 100 people taking advantage of special ballots. Of course for the most part, that's snow birds."

The frist advanced vote will happen on Saturday (September 30) at City Hall from 9:00am-12:00am. A second advanced vote will take place on October 11 from 5:00pm-8:00pm. Voters will need the same identification to take part in an advanced vote ast they would if they were voting on election day.

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