What You Need to Know About Calgary's 2021 Municipal Election

This fall is a very busy voting season for Calgarians. Following the Federal Election on September 20th, is the City of Calgary's Municipal Election on October 18th. For the first time in the last 12 years, current Mayor Naheed Nenshi will not be running for re-election, thus there are quite a number of new faces vying for key leadership positions on City Council. Even though the official list of candidates is not finalized until September 20th, we thought it was worth getting this information compiled before the busyness of fall sets in. We've set-up this article as a FAQ, so that you can quickly find answers to any questions you may have.

What Ward Am I In?

Recently, Calgary updated the ward boundaries for the upcoming election. To double check which ward you're in, you can use this mapping tool on the City's website. The green boundaries indicate the ward lines that will be effective for the election.

Who is Running?

The final list of candidates will not be available until September 20th, but the City does keep the current roster updated on their website. They have a handy search function that enables Calgarians to sort through candidates based on the position they're running for. Each candidate's profile includes their contact information (e.g. phone number, email, and/or website) so that you can learn more about their platform points, campaign, and any other details for the election.

Can I Vote?

If you are 18 years of age or older, a resident of Calgary, and a Canadian Citizen, then you're able to vote on Election Day for the incoming Mayor, Ward Councillor, and either a Trustee for the Calgary Board of Education or the Calgary Roman Catholic School District. All you need is a piece of valid government ID, like a Driver's License.

How Do I Vote?

Voting will be available from 8 am to 8 pm on Election Day (October 18th) at local schools, places of worship, community and recreation centres, as well as libraries. Closer to Election Day, the City of Calgary will be posting a map with voting locations here. Advanced voting will also be made available from October 4th to 10th — you can find more information here once it's released.