City of Edmonton officials are projecting nearly $5 million in extra costs to run next year's civic election because of a host of new rules from the Alberta government. The province's Bill 20, expected to come into force this fall, includes a suite of changes to the Local Authorities Election Act, which governs how cities and towns conduct votes for local councils and school boards. The legislation has been the subject of backlash from municipal leaders and councils, including in Edmonton.
When it comes to local elections, Bill 20 will ban automated vote tabulator machines, require a permanent voter register and open the door for political parties at the municipal level, among other changes. City council will see a report Wednesday that says additional staff, materials and monitoring to deal with the changes adds up to $4.8 million in 2025, and nearly $1 million more in ongoing costs the following year.
The budget bump takes into account about $1.2 million the city will save by cancelling the contract with the company that provides Edmonton's vote tabulators. Alberta municipalities cool toward provincial ministers amid cuts, election changes The Alberta government banned electronic vote tabulators.
Municipalities want it to reconsider But that change is actually the costliest for next year's vote, according to projections: it means hiring 1,230 more advance and election-day workers to count ballots by hand, plus bringing in additional equipment, at a cost of $2.6 million. "Au.