Voting hours? Didn't get your special ballots? Answers for referendum advanced polls

Alberta's referendum is fast approaching, and by now, Albertans should have received this. It's a voter card breaking down where to go and what to bring. Advance voting will be open from Tuesday to Saturday. And to help keep things smooth, Elections Alberta says voters should come prepared. We're also encouraging people to pre-read the questions. There are 10 questions. That's unusual. Eligible voters need to be over 18, a Canadian citizen, and a resident of Alberta. To cast your ballot, you must bring identification like a driver's license or two pieces of ID with your current address. There's a lot to choose from, but think bank statement or utility bill or even a library card. A full list can be found at elections.ab.ca, and if you haven't gotten your voter card yet, you can find out when and where to vote at that site by putting in your address. Advance polls can be cast throughout a voter's own electoral district, but station hours vary. When you look at the special ballot requests we have, that certainly suggests some high interest. Gurney says it's hard to know how busy polling stations will be. But says wait times could be quicker during off-peak hours like mid-morning or afternoon. For people unsure if their special ballot was received or mailed back in time, don't worry. Albertans can still vote in the advance polls or even on Election Day. Gurney says live voter record reporting means no one will be able to vote twice. If they received your special ballot and you're there, they can say, hey, actually, you've been struck from the voter registry. We have your votes counted and then you can go on your way. If not, if it hasn't been received, they'll give you another ballot package. You'll be able to vote there. She says any mail-in ballots received after you vote will be discarded. Albertans are also allowed to use a personal device for help, like translating or magnifying text. And voters can bring a friend or family member to help them. Chelsea Mutter, CBC News, Calgary.