Fewer people tend to vote in municipal elections in Edmonton than in Calgary. We look at why – CBC

Oct 25, 2021

Experts have several theories, including one that suggests competitive races create more intrigue

More Edmontonians cast a ballot in this year’s municipal election than in the four elections prior, but overall turnout was higher in Calgary ― again.

The 2021 Calgary election had a voter turnout of 46.36 per cent. Data shows that this follows a pattern since at least 1983 ― the oldest year publicly available to compare both cities ― where Calgary usually has higher turnout than Edmonton. Sometimes significantly so.

There are several hypotheses about why this may occur, political experts say. But there is a theory that suggests competitive races create a sense of urgency and drama that engages people.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-calgary-municipal-election-voter-turnout-1.6222060