Albertans Vote Today in Key Municipal Elections

Albertans are voting today in significant municipal elections across the province. This includes rural and urban local governments, with a total of 19 cities, 105 towns, 78 villages, and 63 municipal districts and counties participating. Additionally, sixty-one school board elections are being held.

Key Elections in Edmonton

In Edmonton, the election is especially noteworthy as Mayor Amarjeet Sohi is not seeking re-election. Thirteen candidates are vying for the mayoral position. Voters also have the choice of 81 candidates competing for 12 city council seats in Edmonton’s wards.

Residents can find their designated voting wards and locations through the City of Edmonton’s official website.

Introduction of Political Parties

This election marks the debut of municipal political parties in Edmonton and Calgary, following new legislation. Although many candidates remain independent, two notable parties have surfaced in Edmonton:

• Better Edmonton Party: Led by two-term councillor Tim Cartmell, who is the only mayoral candidate representing a political party. The party is contesting all 12 wards.
• Principled Accountable Coalition of Edmonton (PACE): This party is fielding candidates in nine wards, focusing on similar issues as the Better Edmonton Party.

Both parties have pledged to review city spending, adjust the zoning policy, and enhance transit safety.

Vote Counting Changes

This year, Alberta will count all ballots by hand rather than using electronic voting tabulators. An official from Edmonton Elections stated that votes for mayor, councillors, and school trustees will be counted separately. The counting is expected to start after polls close at 8 p.m.

The results of the mayoral election will be available online first. Aileen Giesbrecht, the returning officer, has indicated that preliminary results might take until Tuesday to complete, with official results expected by noon on Friday.

Voter Turnout Expectations

The 2021 municipal elections in Edmonton set a benchmark with 236,000 voters, reflecting a 38% turnout of eligible voters. This was the highest voter participation rate since 2004. The 2023 elections have seen a decrease in advance voting, with over 41,000 ballots cast during a five-day early voting period, compared to 64,000 in 2021 during a ten-day period.

As Albertans head to the polls today, the outcome will significantly impact local governance in both cities and rural areas alike.