Alberta prepares for hotly contested election

Edmonton - After a hotly contested four-week campaign, Alberta voters are expected to turn out in force Monday for the conclusion of the provincial election. 

The last time Albertans went to the polls in 2008 to choose their provincial government, voter turnout sank to a record low of 40.6 per cent.

But after a hard-fought race in 2012 that has received national — even international — attention over the past month, experts are predicting a more robust display at the polls.

“By every theory you can think of, turnout should be up,” said Harold Jansen, a political scientist at the University of Lethbridge and an expert in Canadian voter turnout. 

“Voter turnout is also supposed to go up when it’s more competitive — and we haven’t seen a competitive election like this since 1993. 

“I can’t recall the last election when I’ve seen so many people talking about it and interested in it.”

A spokesman with Elections Alberta said the office would not be able to provide a tally of voters at advance polls until all the ballots are counted Monday evening. 

But anecdotal accounts from party officials and political observers suggest big crowds have already turned out to vote in Calgary.

One of the key factors will be how well the various parties are able to get out their vote — whether it’s simply reminding people to cast a ballot or having volunteers provide rides to polling stations, Jansen said.

“Those things are important,” Jansen said. “Even if it only makes a couple-hundred votes difference, that can be the difference between a seat and not a seat.”

On Sunday, political leaders of all stripes were rallying supporters for the last big push before Monday’s election, in which Albertans will decide whether to re-elect the long-ruling Progressive Conservatives or opt for a new government in the front-running Wildrose party.

On Sunday, both parties released a tally and names of campaign contributors. Wildrose said it has collected nearly $2.4 million in donations during the four-week race, while the PCs reported a total of $1.8 million over the first 3 1/2 weeks.

In Edmonton, Liberal leader Raj Sherman wouldn’t predict how many seats his party will end up with after the election, but argued a vote split between the Tories and Wildrose will benefit his members.
Speaking in the same city on Sunday, NDP leader Brian Mason said his party has concentrated its campaigning in key ridings, and feels they are in a “very good” position.