Voters irked by 4-kilometre trip to poll on election day

For nearly 40 years, senior Nina Jackson has walked from her home at 83rd Avenue and 110th Street to her Edmonton-Strathcona election poll butnot this time around.

This year the poll is four kilometres away in another constituency all together.

"I am so disappointed," she said. "It's 51st Avenue and 113th Street so that's about 35 blocks away. It's certainly going to affect people going to vote.

"It seems a little ridiculous that no space could be found within less than four kilometers. I think it is wrong, I think it is inconsiderate."

About 1,250 potential voters will have to make the trip to the poll at a school in the Edmonton-Riverview constituency.

While Jackson said she's able to drive, she worries other seniors will not be able to vote on election day.

Garneau resident Victoria Jones, 28, believes it will also deter younger people, many who won't bother to take the time to make the trip.

"It's stupid and it is going to affect turnout," she said. "Elections Alberta should be trying for the highest turnout possible."

Blame it on the early election call which limited Elections Alberta choices for places to vote, said spokesperson Drew Westwater.

"If the election had been held in 2016, we would have done our list review and polling assignments in September of this year and it wouldn't have been an issue."

Westwater said it would be too confusing to change the polling station with less than a week to go in the campaign.

He encourages people who are worrying about the distance to cast their ballots at the advance poll which is closer.

Nina Jackson says people shouldn't have to make their choice until election day.