Remember to vote in Alberta's provincial election

Voting stations for Alberta’s provincial election will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2015. Visit Elections Alberta to find the location of your voting station.

Time off for voting

Alberta's Election Act ensures that all eligible voters are allowed sufficient time to vote on Election Day.

Section 132 of the Election Act allows for three consecutive hours for the purpose of voting.

An Employee’s regular work schedule may already allow for three consecutive hours while the polls are open (from 0900 to 2000 on Election Day).

If a shift begins at 1200, or ends by 1700, an Employee will have the three hours required by legislation to vote and would not be entitled to take additional time off.

The provisions contained in Section 132 of the Election Act state:

(1)    An employee who is an elector qualified to vote shall, while the polls are open on polling day at an election or plebiscite, be allowed 3 consecutive hours for the purpose of casting the employee’s vote.

(2)    If the employee’s hours of employment do not allow for the 3 consecutive hours’ absence, the employee’s employer shall allow the employee additional time for voting to provide the three consecutive hours, but the additional time for voting shall be granted at the convenience of the employer.

(3)    No employer may make any deduction from the pay of an employee or impose on or exact from the employee any penalty by reason of the employee’s absence from employment during the 3 consecutive hours referred to in subsection (1) or additional time granted under subsection (2).

Talk to your manager to ensure you have this time off.