CALGARY ( Rajeev Sharma): The final day of Calgary’s 2025 municipal election advanced voting ended on a strong note Saturday, with a surge of ballots cast across the city. However, overall turnout remains well below 2021 levels, raising concerns about voter engagement , particularly in competitive areas such as Wards 3, 5, and 10.
According to Elections Calgary, 22,144 ballots were cast on the last day of advanced voting surpassing the highest single-day turnout from 2021. Yet across all six days, only 96,549 voters participated, a significant drop from more than 124,000 advanced votes recorded during the previous election’s seven-day period.
Officials note that advanced voting represents just over 10% of the total electorate, indicating that the majority of Calgarians will head to the polls on Election Day, October 20.
Political observers attribute the decline to voter fatigue, confusion over the new party system, and lingering disinterest following years of political polarization. Others suggest that the Thanksgiving weekend and pleasant fall weather may have drawn potential voters away from polling stations.
In Calgary’s rapidly expanding Ward 3, reduced early turnout could amplify the importance of last-minute door knocking and get-out-the-vote efforts.
Front-runners Tarun Dhillon, Jaspriya Johal , Atul Chauhan & Rajesh Angral continue to compete vigorously, each emphasizing local priorities such as traffic management, community safety, and better transit connections to the city’s core.
Political analysts say Ward 3 remains one of the most closely watched races, as new communities and shifting demographics could lead to a surprise finish. “Every single vote will matter here this is going to be a ground-war ward,” said one observer.
Ward 5, encompassing vibrant south asian communities such as Skyview , Redstone, Cornerstone, saddleridge , Savana, martindlae , Taraladle and Cityscape, remains a key battleground in northeast Calgary.
The race has evolved into a four-way contest among incumbent Raj Dhaliwal, Reet Mushiana, Jigar Patel, and Gurpreet Dhillon, with each securing support in different neighborhoods. Dhaliwal faces strong competition from Mushiana, who has drawn significant momentum from younger voters and professionals seeking stronger advocacy for infrastructure and safety improvements. Meanwhile, Patel has earned community goodwill through his positive campaign approach and outreach efforts emphasizing transparency and collaboration.
Observers note that Dhillon’s growing presence has added another layer of competition, with his supporters rallying around issues like better transit links, affordability, and enhanced local engagement.
“With four strong campaigns in play, this ward could see a razor-thin finish,” said a Skyview community leader. “Voters here want tangible results, not just promises.”
In Ward 10, traditionally one of Calgary’s most politically active yet unpredictable areas, early participation was uneven across polling locations.
While incumbent Andre Chabot continues to rely on his experience and recognition, new contender Tarlochan Sidhu has drawn a notably strong community response in the final days of advanced voting.
Tarlochan Sidhu’s outreach across cultural groups and local associations has yielded visible commitments from residents, signaling that he could emerge as a major factor in this election. “We’ve received encouraging support from across the ward,” Sidhu told National Times. “Now, it’s up to voters on October 20.”
Political observers believe that lower early voting may benefit candidates with strong ground support, favoring those capable of mobilizing large volunteer teams and ensuring election-day turnout. Election Day to Decide the Final Outcome . As Calgary heads into the final stretch before Election Day, all eyes are on whether the late surge in voter activity will carry over to the main polls. The city’s northeast and north-central wards 3, 5, and 10 are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the composition and direction of the new City Council.
Elections Calgary will release detailed ward-by-ward advanced voting statistics ahead of election day. National Times Media will continue to provide real-time updates, candidate insights, and community reactions as Calgarians prepare to cast their final Votes on October 20th.
