Calgary’s new mayor emerges victorious in closely contested race according to unofficial results
The recent mayoral election in Calgary concluded with Jeromy Farkas emerging as the unofficial winner. According to Elections Calgary, Farkas secured 91,065 votes, surpassing his closest rival, Sonya Sharp, by a narrow margin of just 585 votes.
Key Election Results
The election took place on a Monday, with 380 polling stations reporting their results. The incumbent mayor, Jyoti Gondek, the first woman to hold the position, finished in third place with 71,397 votes. Gondek conceded shortly after the results were announced, expressing her honor in serving as Calgary’s 37th mayor.
Voter Turnout Statistics
- Calgary has over 896,000 registered eligible voters.
- Fewer than 350,000 residents participated in the mayoral race.
- Approximately 10.7% of eligible voters voted at advance polls, totaling around 96,549 ballots cast.
- Advance voting showed a decrease of over 30% compared to the last election cycle.
Challenges During Voting
The election faced significant challenges, including long wait times at polling stations where voters reported standing in line for up to two hours. Several locations saw lines stretching outside the buildings.
Legislative Changes Impacting the Election Process
Delays in vote counting were attributed to new legislation passed by the UCP government in 2024. This law mandates that all ballots be counted by hand, which has extended the time needed to complete the counting process.
Voters also encountered new requirements due to Bill 20, which necessitated election workers to verify eligibility through a “permanent electors register.” Those not listed could still vote but were required to show government-issued ID as well as proof of current residency.
Additional Issues
The Canada Post strike further complicated the voting process, as registered voters did not receive the usual voter information cards by mail.
Calgarians and observers can expect updates regarding city councillor results as they come in. For the latest national news updates, Emegypt will offer timely breaking news alerts.
