Edmonton to Count Votes by Hand in Major Election Overhaul

Edmonton is preparing for a unique electoral process as officials plan to count votes by hand during the upcoming municipal election. This decision follows changes made by the Alberta government under the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act in October 2024, which prohibits the use of vote tabulation machines. With approximately 650,000 registered electors, the city is facing the possibility of counting up to 1.9 million ballots if all voters utilize their three allotted ballots—one for the mayor, one for their councillor, and one for their school board trustee.

Brent Wittmeier, a communications adviser for Elections Edmonton, explained that the hand-counting method chosen is known as the “round table” model. This approach was selected after evaluating various counting methods used in both Canadian and international contexts. Wittmeier noted that multiple mock count exercises were conducted to assess accuracy, timeliness, and scalability.

After the polls close on October 20, each polling station will have four workers assigned to a table where they will unseal the ballot box. Each worker will be responsible for counting votes for a specific candidate. The counting process begins with workers ensuring that no ballots remain in the box. Once confirmed, they will sort the ballots into piles based on the candidate voted for. Votes for other candidates or incorrectly marked ballots will be passed along for further sorting.

Each pile will undergo two rounds of counting by separate counters. If discrepancies arise between the two counts, the process will be repeated until the counts align. Once validated by a supervisor, ballots will be placed in envelopes corresponding to the candidate, and these will be returned to the resealed ballot box.

Counting of advance votes and special ballots will follow the same hand-counting method at the Central Count Centre (CCC) located at the Elections Edmonton warehouse. Counting at the 222 voting stations will continue until all ballots are processed, while the CCC will operate until 01:00 and resume at 09:00 the following day. Election officials have cautioned that unofficial results may not be available until Tuesday, with official results scheduled for release on Friday at 12:00.

As preparations for the election ramp up, officials have released a guide detailing voting requirements. Voters must present identification, such as an Alberta driver’s licence or an identification card, and if the ID lacks an address, another registered voter must vouch for them. Voters must be at least 18 years old, Canadian citizens, and residents of Edmonton on election day.

Wittmeier emphasized that every voter must sign Form 13: Register of a Voter before receiving their ballots. Those not on the permanent electors register will need to be added prior to voting, which may extend the voting process compared to previous elections.

For individuals requiring specific assistance, such as tactile voter templates for the visually impaired or translated instructions in one of 17 languages, resources will be available at each voting station. Voters with mobility challenges might also be able to vote curbside. Election workers will be on hand to provide support, and those needing additional assistance, such as a hearing loop or elector assistance terminal, should visit the Edmonton Elections office located at 6304 114 Avenue.

The measures taken by Edmonton officials reflect a commitment to ensuring that the voting process remains accessible and accurate, despite the challenges posed by the new regulations. As the election date approaches, community engagement and participation will be crucial in shaping the city’s future.