Election Day in Calgary: Essential Information You Need to Know
As Calgary gears up for its election, residents are preparing to select their new mayor, councillor, and school trustee. Here’s essential information for voters.
Voting Details for Calgary Residents
Polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Voters must visit their designated polling station, which can be determined using the city’s online portal. In total, Calgary has 261 polling stations available.
It’s crucial for voters to be in line by 8 p.m. to ensure they can cast their votes. Eligibility requirements include being at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen, and a resident of Calgary. Voters can only select candidates for the mayor, councillor, and school trustee from their respective wards.
Identification Requirements
Voters need at least one form of identification. Acceptable IDs include:
- Driver’s license
- Government cheque
- Bank statement
- Lease agreement
- Utility bill
- Fishing or hunting license
Employers must provide three consecutive hours of paid time off for employees who cannot vote during their working hours.
Candidates in the Running
There are nine candidates competing for the mayoral position:
- Jeff Davison
- Sarah Elder
- Jeromy Farkas
- Jyoti Gondek
- Jaeger Gustafson
- Larry R.
- Heather Grant
- Prior Sonya Sharp (Communities First)
- Brian Thiessen (The Calgary Party)
To check the candidates for councillor in your ward, Calgary residents can visit an interactive map provided online.
Political Parties in the Election
This election marks the introduction of political parties in Calgary, thanks to a provincial pilot project. Currently, three political parties have candidates running:
- A Better Calgary Party
- Communities First
- The Calgary Party
Several other candidates are running as independents.
Election Results Timeline
Calgarians can expect to receive mayoral results on election night. However, full council results may take longer due to the hand counting of ballots. Unlike previous elections, electronic tabulators have been banned, leading to a more manual counting process.
Election Day ballots will be hand counted at their respective polling stations immediately after polls close. Advance votes and mail-in ballots will be tallied at the Big Four Roadhouse, starting late Monday night. This process will pause at 1 a.m. for safety reasons and will resume Tuesday morning.
Expected Timeline for Results
Depending on voter turnout, the city anticipates ward results by around 3 p.m. on Tuesday and trustee results closer to 8 p.m. The city will incur approximately $1.3 million in additional costs due to the changes in the voting process.
Voter Engagement
Recent polling indicates many Calgarians are undecided about their choices. Early participation has seen over 90,000 residents voting in advance polls, which is a significant decrease from the last municipal election in 2021.
Multiple factors may be contributing to low engagement, including competition from other news stories and a reduced presence of campaign materials. Political experts suggest this election has been less dynamic, despite pressing issues facing the community.
Addressing Local Issues
Poll results from Janet Brown Opinion Research underscore that key voter concerns revolve around infrastructure, safety on transit, crime reduction, and municipal spending. These matters will directly influence the next council’s responsibilities.
Residents are reminded that local government decisions affect day-to-day life more than those made at the provincial or federal levels.
Where to Follow Results
For live updates and analysis on Election Day, Calgarians can tune into Emegypt coverage on Radio One, or visit cbcnews.ca/calgary. Updates will also be available on YouTube for those who prefer digital platforms.
