The last day of advanced voting for the Calgary municipal election on Saturday comes as voter numbers compared to the 2021 election continue to drop.
Calgarians can head to over 40 locations from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. to cast their ballot, including the Vote Bus over at McMahon Stadium — though that’s only until 1:30 p.m.
Elections Calgary’s unofficial 2025 advanced vote numbers on day five — the second-highest turnout in the 2021 election at 23,080 voters — saw 17,704 ballots cast. The five days so far combine for eight per cent of the city’s voter turnout.
As part of the verification process, officials say the numbers may change the next day as they confirm the data.
The numbers for 2025 so far are still higher than the turnout in 2017 for the first five days. Around 72,000 voters have exercised their right to vote in 2025, compared to just over 44,000 in 2017. Over 104,000 voters turned out for the first five days in 2021, finishing with 141,329, while 74,965 showed up for the full seven days in 2017.
Mount Royal University political scientist Lori Williams says voters are traversing muddy waters right now, as the candidates have, in general, failed to be clear about what they stand for.
“They don’t have a clear sense of what the candidates stand for, who is the candidate that aligns most closely with what they want to accomplish,” she said.
“I’m in a position where I have a lot of questions that I still don’t have the answers to. I can only imagine what somebody who’s been more of a casual observer, trying to figure out what their votes might mean.”
Williams, who moderated one of the mayoral debates, says some may decide against voting because of the new political party system, and are against it or uncertain about its impact.
But there could be other factors at play, says Martha Hall Findlay, the director of the School of Public Policy, such as the ongoing teachers’ strike.
“A lot of people are trying to figure out what to do with their kids, so that might be the biggest single factor,” she said.
She also says the last few days of the nice weather before the expected snowfall may also be playing a role.
“Might even be just that people are busy taking advantage of what may be the last few days of really great weather this fall,” Findlay said.
“My hope is that over the next few days, people will actually turn out simply because municipal elections are important.”
Numbers for the last day of voting are expected to be released late Saturday.
If you’re unable to head to any advanced voting booths, you can still vote on the official day on Oct. 20.
Information on the 2025 General Election can be found on the Elections Calgary website or by calling 403-476-4100.