Edmonton Election Campaigns Intensify as Voting Day Approaches

UPDATE: With just over 30 days until the October 20 municipal election in Edmonton, campaign activities are set to escalate significantly. Residents can expect a surge in campaign signs, door-to-door canvassing, robocalls, and text messages as candidates ramp up their outreach efforts.

The campaign manager for mayoral candidate Tim Cartmell and the Better Edmonton political association, Alex Hryciw, confirmed that while they have been active since the beginning of the year, the next few weeks will see a dramatic increase in digital advertising and media buys. “You’ll start to see a lot more of the digital ad buys starting to roll out,” Hryciw told CTV News Edmonton. The campaign plans to utilize various platforms, including advertisements in the Edmonton Journal, billboards, and bus sides.

Hryciw mentioned that the campaign’s innovative approach includes mass texting, which has yielded positive interactions. “When we deploy an opportunity to kind of live text back and forth with Tim, we see a really good return on investment,” she explained. In addition, Cartmell and the Better Edmonton candidates are actively engaging with voters through door knocking almost every evening.

Political analyst Najib Jutt remarked that despite the rise of social media, traditional face-to-face interactions are proving to be more impactful in this election cycle. “I’ve been looking for the tipping point in terms of social media becoming a determinant of election results,” Jutt noted, emphasizing the importance of genuine voter engagement.

This election marks a pivotal shift in how municipal campaigns are structured, with several party slates vying for council seats. Jutt pointed out that while party affiliations can provide financial backing and organized support, they do not guarantee standout campaigns. “In municipal elections, turnouts are so low. It’s even more important that you identify early on what is going to get people to vote for you,” he said.

As candidates flood the streets with campaign signs and conduct outreach, the city has reported receiving 60 complaints since June regarding campaign signage. Responses from the public have been mixed, with some residents like student Kaeli Nguyen indicating they struggle to remember candidate names amidst the signs. Others, however, assert that they still prioritize researching candidates over relying solely on signage.

“Putting a candidate’s sign on your lawn is an overall good indicator of the chance they’ll vote for you,” Jutt stated, while cautioning that excessive signage can lead to voter fatigue. The effectiveness of each campaign tactic largely hinges on the discipline and strategy of the campaign team.

As Edmonton gears up for the election, all candidates are expected to refine their strategies based on voter feedback. Hryciw stated, “I think any campaign has to weigh that for themselves.”

This escalating campaign environment is poised to make a significant impact on voter turnout and engagement leading up to October 20. Stay tuned for more updates as candidates prepare for a heated race to the finish.