Vote Drama in YYC: Sonya Sharp Calls for a Recount!

Calgary, hold onto your hats! Just a day after our municipal election on October 20, 2025, mayoral candidate Sonya Sharp announced on October 21, 2025, she's officially calling for a vote recount. This electoral twist comes after Sharp trailed Jeromy Farkas by a razor-thin margin of just 585 votes in the mayoral race. Farkas received 91,068 votes to Sharp's 90,484, a difference of only 0.16% of total votes, making a recount eligible under provincial law.

This isn't just a political footnote; it means further delays for a city eager to confirm its next leader. Calgarians already faced longer lines and delayed results on election night due to new provincial legislation requiring manual ballot counting, a change that added $3.3 million to the election's cost. A recount, which will also be conducted by hand, extends this uncertainty.

Sharp, a current Ward 1 Councillor and leader of the Communities First party, emphasized ensuring accuracy in this incredibly tight race. Farkas, a former Ward 11 Councillor, was previously the runner-up in the 2021 mayoral election. The outcome impacts the city's direction, from public safety to fiscal policy, especially with Calgary's "weak mayor" system where the mayor acts as the city's key spokesperson.

Stay tuned as this high-stakes electoral drama unfolds. You can follow Sharp’s updates on Instagram: @sonyasharpyyc.