Alberta Municipal Election Results May Face Delays with Hand-Counting Shift
Alberta’s municipal elections are underway, but residents might face delays in receiving election results due to changes in counting methods. The province has shifted from using electronic tabulators to hand-counting ballots, which it believes will enhance trust in the electoral process.
Hand-Counting Shift in Alberta’s Elections
In 2024, Alberta’s government banned electronic tabulators for municipal elections, a practice that has facilitated quicker results for decades. Aileen Giesbrecht, Edmonton’s returning officer, recently conveyed to El-Balad that preliminary results are expected to be available by Tuesday following the election.
Details of the Counting Process
Voting stations in Edmonton close at 8 p.m. MT, where counting tables will be established across 222 locations. There will also be a count center handling approximately 42,000 advance votes and those cast in institutions such as seniors’ homes and hospitals.
- Individual ballots will be counted for:
- Mayor
- Councillors
- School trustees
Giesbrecht mentioned that counting will begin with mayoral ballots, followed by those for councillors and school boards. The initial results published online are likely to be from the mayoral race.
Counting Workflow and Timeline
According to a city video, each count worker will sort and tally votes for specific candidates. This process involves verifying counts to ensure accuracy. Hand-counting is projected to continue until midnight, then resume at 9 a.m. the following day if necessary.
Impact of the Change in Counting Methods
The transition to hand-counting demands more manpower, resulting in the hiring of an additional 1,500 election workers for the event. Giesbrecht has estimated that the financial implications of this change could reach $4.5 million, stating that comprehensive training for all election personnel was essential.
Prof. Aleksander Essex from Western University expressed concerns regarding the implications of eliminating electronic tabulators. He suggested that this shift introduces a significant workload, which may delay the reporting of election results in Alberta municipalities.
Anticipated Delays and Public Expectations
Essex highlighted that election officials might take several days or longer to hand-count all ballots. This potential delay could lead to public dissatisfaction if expectations for timely reporting are not met. He argued that transparency can coexist with the use of technology, emphasizing the need for effective electoral processes.
