Why Your Vote Counts But Might Take a While to Be Counted

Calgarians who stayed up late for election results on Monday, October 20, 2025, likely noticed a significant shift in how quickly ballots were tallied. While you might know who your next mayor is, council and school board trustee results are taking longer to emerge, with official results potentially not known until Friday, October 24.

This new pace is thanks to provincial legislation passed in 2024 that mandated hand-counting ballots, replacing the swift electronic tabulators Calgary previously used. The move, which has added an estimated $3.3 million to Calgary's election budget, aims to boost confidence and transparency in election results, despite the trade-off in speed.

Adding to the delays were long lines at polling stations, with some Calgarians reporting waits over an hour. This was largely due to a new provincial requirement to confirm every voter on a permanent elector register. Even though polls closed at 8 p.m. on October 20, anyone still in line was permitted to vote, further pushing back the start of the manual count.

For a city known for its vibrant civic engagement, these changes have tested patience. While advance voting turnout was down by about a third compared to 2021, election officials are working through the meticulous process. It’s a reminder that ensuring every voice is counted accurately takes time, and this year, Calgary is certainly feeling the weight of those procedural shifts.