Albertans Vote in Provincewide Municipal Elections with Hand-Counted Ballots

Albertans are participating in significant municipal elections across the province, including major cities like Calgary and Edmonton, as well as numerous towns, villages, and school boards. This election marks the first time municipal political parties are participating in Edmonton and Calgary, with parties like the Better Edmonton Party and Principled Accountable Coalition of Edmonton (PACE) fielding candidates, while many others remain independent. Edmonton's incumbent mayor Amarjeet Sohi is not seeking re-election, and the mayoral races in both cities are competitive, with candidates addressing issues such as city spending, zoning policy, and transit safety. For the first time, all ballots in Alberta are being counted by hand rather than electronically, resulting in delayed election result timelines, with some regions expecting results only days after polls close. Smaller communities anticipate unofficial results sooner, whereas larger cities like Lethbridge expect results several days later. Voter turnout and engagement remain key topics, especially given the introduction of political parties in municipal elections and the recent challenges faced by local leaders, such as Calgary's handling of a major transit project and Edmonton's mayoral vacancy.