Alberta NDP concerned postal strike plan could hinder Lethbrdige byelection [Video]

Alberta’s Opposition NDP says a decision not to mail out voter registration cards due to the Canada Post strike could hurt turnout in a provincial byelection that is set for a week before Christmas.

The NDP’s executive director, in a letter to chief electoral officer Gordon McClure, says the registration cards are “one of the few remaining supports provided by Elections Alberta to promote access to democracy.”

The cards let voters know when and how they can vote.

Premier Danielle Smith announced last week that the byelection for Lethbridge-West would be held Dec. 18, to fill the vacancy that opened when former NDP legislature member Shannon Phillips resigned July 1.

NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi had urged Smith to call the byelection earlier, as both NDP and the governing United Conservative Party candidates have been in place since September.

Alberta Elections notes on its website that due to the Canada Post …