Long ballot, slow count to characterize municipal election

By ZOE MASON on September 13, 2025.

zmason@medicinehatnews.com

This year’s municipal election is shaping up to have one of the longest ballots in city history. It will also be the first election since the Alberta government’s decision to ban electronic vote tabulators last year. City officials expect results will be announced slowly.

Thirty-three candidates were in the running for city council as of Friday, in addition to four mayoral candidates. Fourteen candidates are vying for the trusteeships of the Catholic Board of Education and the Public School Division.

The standing record for council candidates was set in 2001, when 36 hopefuls ran for office. The nomination period for this year’s election ends on Sept. 22, meaning the number of names on the ballot may continue to grow.

In the absence of tabulators, election workers will use a custom-made Kangaroo Board to sort and tally ballots.

The city clerk’s office told the News on Friday that they will keep the public informed about election results by releasing updates hourly beginning at 10 p.m. on election night. Updates will continue to be released until 2 a.m. election night and will resume as needed the following day.

Results will be made available on the city webpage. Mayoral results will not be prioritized. Votes cast for all four races will be published simultaneously.

The city clerk’s office also warned that with in-person voting expected to be as low as 30% at some polling stations, counting will likely continue into the days following the election.

There were also 33 candidates for city council in 2021. There were 19 in the 2017 election, 15 in 2013, 12 in 2010 and 23 in 2007.

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