Today is the last day for advance voting and there's a good chance over 700,000 Albertans will have cast their ballots by the time the polling stations close at 8 p.m.

Since opening Tuesday, there's been an average of 136,500 Albertans voting each day. 

Provincewide, Friday was the busiest day yet with an estimated 142,000 people casting ballots, exceeding the 140,000 on opening day, Apr. 9.

By Thursday, a record 8,497 people had voted at the three advance polls in Airdrie-Cochrane. Large crowds are anticipated today.

The advance vote from the last provincial election pales in comparison. In 2015, 235,000 Albertans cast ballots. It is widely believed the convenient "Vote Anywhere" option, that allows electors to vote at any advance poll in the province, has made the difference.

Cochrane-Airdrie returning officer Lorraine Romain believes it is making a difference and says they have had many electors taking advantage of the option at all three of their polling stations.

Cochrane's advance poll is upstairs in the Grand Professional Building, 215 100 Grande Boulevard. 

Elsewhere in the area, you can vote at the Bearspaw Lions Club Hall, 25240 Nagway, adjacent to Hwy. 1A in Bearspaw. There's also one in Airdrie.

Those 18 and older who reside in Alberta and are a Canadian citizen can vote. If you are not already on the voters' list you can register at the polling station. You must bring acceptable identification. Further details can be found at www.elections.ab.ca.

On election day, Tuesday, Apr. 16, you must vote at your assigned polling station. 

Candidates on the Move

Candidates are all on the move this weekend as the countdown begins for Tuesday's provincial election.

It's a heavy weekend for UCP's Peter Guthrie. He kicked off Saturday by participating in the Helping Hands Food Drive, followed by a campaign office barbecue. Guthrie is then heading out to knock on doors and ends the day at the Cochrane Lions Club's Spring Barn Dance.

On Sunday he'll be attending the Vaisakhi celebration at Mehtab East Indian Cuisine and says he expects to be there from 2 and 3 p.m. before rounding out the day with door knocking in Airdrie. 

The NDP's Steve Durrell has started the day at an event with party leader Rachel Notley in Calgary. He'll be back to knock on doors late this afternoon and he plans to continue the doorknocking push right up until election day.

Besides doorknocking, Danielle Cameron, of the Alberta Independence Party, says she will be meeting with local seniors. She also intends to focus the weekend on understanding the needs of homeless people.

FCP candidate Matthew Morrisey will be knocking on doors in both Cochrane and Airdrie today, handing out literature and on Sunday is assisting party leader Derek Fildebrandt with his campaign in the Chestermere-Strathmore riding.

Vern Raincock, of the Alberta Party, will be in Cochrane on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.