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\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\nAdvance voting for the Alberta referendum kicked off Tuesday, and there\u2019s been a massive turnout to vote at Spruce Meadows in Calgary with many voicing displeasure over accessibility supports.<\/p>\n
Voter Darlene Ketchum told CityNews, \u201cthere\u2019s a lot of hill climbing. I already did almost fall twice when i came the first time\u2026if there was handicap parking closer, or places to sit, that would\u2019ve been friendlier. \u201d<\/p>\n
Aside from a small number of handicap spaces, Ketchum says its unreasonable to expect people with disabilities to wait in such a long line. After making a few calls she learned that Elections Alberta offers curbside voting in these situations.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause apparently people with disabilities can have someone come out to their vehicle and they can vote there. There\u2019s nothing posted. People are struggling. This is absolutely unbelievable,\u201d Ketchum said.<\/p>\n
Another voter says if he hadn\u2019t stumbled upon learning about curbside voting he would have returned home without casting his ballot.<\/p>\n
But some never learned of the support and waited in a long line.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt (was) difficult for my father with a walker. He\u2019s 92 years old and feels strongly about voting today, so they need to make it more accessible for all people coming to vote,\u201d said a woman CityNews spoke with.<\/p>\n
Many were frustrated with the lack of available information concerning curbside voting with no mention of the service on the Elections Alberta website.<\/p>\n
In a statement to CityNews Elections Alberta says, \u201ccurbside voting is also available for electors who are unable to enter a voting place due to disability,\u201d adding that the person providing transportation needs to notify the site supervisor if they require this assistance.<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\tA voting sign to be used for the 2026 Alberta Referendum in Edmonton, Alta., on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/James Maclennan The Canadian Press <\/p>\n
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