Election sign vandalism sparks concerns

By Alexandra Noad - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 28, 2024.

Tensions are getting high with the Lethbridge-West election is just a few weeks away and UCP candidate John Middleton-Hope is reminding people to keep things civil.
Over the weekend a video surfaced of a lady destroying UCP signs along Metis Trail and Whoop-Up Drive, which Middleton-Hope says his campaign is disappointed to see.
“It’s absolutely unnecessary and our campaign certainly doesn’t appreciate it,” said Middleton-Hope.
Middleton-hope says this “adolescent behaviour” needs to stop and is much different than conversations between candidates.
“Conversations between Rob and I or the premier and Mr. Nenshi that’s part of the process, but this kind of behaviour is not appropriate,” said Middleton-Hope.
According to Middleton-Hope, the lady was confronted about her actions, and in response she has made offensive remarks and continues to wreck signs.
The Herald reached out to the NDP about the incident and they provided a statement saying: “We strongly condemn and all vandalism and are committed to letting the voices of all Lethbridge voters be heard.”
Many UCP supporters have stepped up to either brush off signs or even replace signs which have been damaged, something Middleton-Hope really appreciates.
“I really appreciate anybody who wants to dust off our signs and place them back up, that’s what neighbours do,” said Middleton-Hope.
Middleton-Hope added many of the people putting up the signs are veterans and youth volunteering their type to support a cause they believe in.
“They’re police veterans, they’re military veterans, they’re students, they’re seniors, so by conducting your behaviours as a middle-aged person really doesn’t speak very well to seniors or to veterans or to the youth and I would hope the citizens of this city would be better than that,” said Middleton-Hope.
Middleton-Hope believes he can provide effective representation for the city, if he is elected, that type of representation which he says Lethbridge has been lacking a long time.
“The reason I’m transitioning is because I’ll have a greater impact and I’ll be able to acquire greater resources, I believe, as a provincial MLA for the citizens of Lethbridge,” said Middleton-Hope.
Win or lose, Middleton-Hope wants good political discourse through the remainder of the campaign.
Also related to the election, Alberta NDP executive director Garett Spelliscy has sent a letter to Chief Electoral Office Doug McClure stating the party is “deeply concerned” that Elections Alberta won’t be sending voter cards out to Lethbridge West residents which he says means voters won’t get the information they need regarding where and when they can vote.
His letter states in light of the Canada Post strike Elections Alberta hasn’t planned adequately to make sure voters get the information they need.
“Election Alberta’s plan to issue social media posts, and ads through the Lethbridge Herald is constructive, but woefully inadequate. Seniors, in particular, face unique barriers to disenfranchisement in this by-election due to the premier’s cynical decision to call the election in the dead of winter, given icy roads and sidewalks. Seniors are less likely to access information through social media,” Spelliscy added.
He also noted that an enumeration of voters hasn’t been conducted by Elections Alberta since 2018.
The letter states that the Dec. 18 voting day “will occur during an already snowy winter and so close to the Christmas holidays, impacting voter turnout.” It states that by-elections already have a lower voter turnout and having this one during the holiday season creates the risk of even fewer voters casting ballots.
The NDP wants Elections Alberta “to conduct robust voter outreach” to ensure residents have the information they need to vote.

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