General Election FAQ

Below are frequently asked questions (FAQ) that Elections Calgary receives related to the General Election and correct, factual answers to those. The questions are grouped into three categories.

How are ballots counted?

In the 2025 General Election, all ballots will be hand counted by election workers in the voting station or the central counting centre. The counting of ballots can be observed by scrutineers (if present) at all locations.

On Election Day, election workers will start counting ballots after the voting stations close at 8 p.m. and the last elector in line has cast their ballot.

Ballots from the Advance Vote voting stations, special (mail-in) ballots, care facilities, hospitals, shelters and the Vote Bus will be counted at the central counting centre.

Does it matter if I use a pen or pencil to mark my ballot?

A pencil is provided at the voting station for voters to mark their ballot. You are welcome to bring your own pen, marker or pencil to mark your ballot.

Pencils are provided because ink in pens or markers will dry up in storage between election events.

Can I take a photo of my marked ballot?

No. To protect the secrecy of the vote, it is against the law to take a photo of a marked ballot. You may take a picture of yourself outside the voting station.

Who is accountable for the integrity of the election?

The integrity of an election is a shared responsibility, with each participant playing a vital role in ensuring the fairness and legality of elections.

Local authorities (e.g. City of Calgary) communicate voting opportunities to the public, manage the election process, and ensure legislative compliance.
Political participants such as candidates, local political parties, slates and third party advertisers must represent themselves with transparency.
Scrutineers represent candidates in voting stations and observe the voting and counting process.
Election workers handle ballots with accuracy and fairness.
Electors contribute by casting their votes honestly and reporting any issues.

How will Elections Calgary ensure elections material (such as ballots) are secure?

Elections Calgary ensures all election materials, such as ballots and ballot boxes, are secure at every stage from production to distribution. Security measures include locked supply carts, consistent check-in/check-out procedures, and serial number tracking.

Who has access to the permanent electors register (electors register)?

The Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA), the provincial legislation governing municipal elections, requires that municipalities use a permanent electors register. A list of of eligible voters is provided to Elections Calgary by Elections Alberta.

Together with ID, the electors register will be used to verify voter eligibility . The Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) states that a candidate, official agent or scrutineer shall not access or use the permanent electors register, including, without limitation, taking a photograph or making a copy of the register.

Persons are entitled to have access to information in the register about themselves or about another person on whose behalf they are authorized to act, to determine whether the information is correct.

Who is responsible for preventing election fraud?

The Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) (the Act) envisions a trust-based system of accountability that aims to strike a balance between accessible voting while providing reasonable safeguards to prevent election fraud and enable enforcement.

Voters: Every voter has a legal obligation under the Act to vote once for each of the persons the voter choses to vote for [Act, sec. 57(1)] and meets all eligibility requirements to vote [Act, sec. 47(1)].

Returning Officer: The returning officer has no investigative or enforcement authority related to voter fraud under the Act. The returning officer communicates voting processes and offenses related to voter fraud to voters, election workers and candidates [Act, sec. 14(1)].

Candidates: Candidates may appoint one scrutineer in each voting station to observe the voting process [Act, sec. 69(1)] and can note ballots that require adjudication [Act, sec. 87(1)]. The returning officer shall note, in the elector register, the reason for the objection and the name of the candidate or official agent or scrutineer making the objection.

Calgary Police Service (CPS): The CPS investigates allegations that a candidate has signed a false affidavit on their Form 4 (Nomination Paper and Candidates Acceptance), or their Form 4 contains a false statement related to their qualification to hold office. Any information related to election fraud should be brought to their attention. The CPS also investigates allegations that a voter has signed a false statement on their Form 13 (Elector Register), or that they voted in the General Election despite being illegible.

Election Commissioner of Alberta: The Election Commissioner of Alberta investigates campaign finance and third party advertiser compliance.

What is prohibited in the Act?

Prohibitions are outlined in Section 148 of the Act and include signing a false statement for any purpose related to an election or vote and voting twice, among others.

How is election fraud investigated?

Election fraud is not common and is more likely to be accidental. Potential election fraud should be brought to the attention of the Calgary Police Service.

Elections Calgary cooperates with any election fraud investigations conducted by the Calgary Police Services or other enforcement agencies and related court proceedings.

What do I do if I suspect someone has committed an election offence?

If you suspect someone has committed an offence, contact Calgary Police Service non-emergency line: (403) 266-1234.

What makes a candidate ineligible to run?

Please see information about becoming a candidate and candidate eligibility here.

Does a candidate have to be part of a local political party or can they be independent?

The Government of Alberta is piloting local political parties (LPPs) and slates in Calgary and Edmonton for the 2025 General Election. There is no requirement for a candidate to be endorsed by LPPs or be a member of a slate.

Learn what local political parties and slates are and their registration and legislative requirements.

How does the “local political party” system work for municipal elections? Are they elected as a whole or does an individual who wins one ward represent the whole party?

Candidates are elected individually for their respective wards regardless of whether they are endorsed by a local political party or not.

Local political parties are required to register with the returning officer of the local jurisdiction. As part of their registration, a local political party must provide a list of candidates who, if elected, would make up more than 1/3 of the council, including the chief elected official (Mayor), of the local jurisdiction. A candidate confirms their affiliation with a local political party through the formal nomination process which is separate from the local political party registration process. Confirmation from both the local political party and candidate is required before an endorsement is published on ElectionsCalgary.ca and printed on the ballot.

I have feedback about my experience at the voting station.

Complete the online survey when you leave the voting station. Look for the QR code posted at exits. You can also contact Elections Calgary by email at elections@calgary.ca or call 403‑476‑4100.

Do I still get to vote if I'm in line at the close of the voting station?

Yes. If you’re in line to vote at the close of the voting station (7 p.m. during Advance Vote or 8 p.m. on Election Day), you will still have the opportunity to vote. An election worker will stand behind the last person in line to ensure that anyone in line at the close of the voting station has the opportunity to vote.

What if I need assistance with marking my ballots?

There are many opportunities to support persons requiring assistance to mark their ballots. Check out Accessible voting for more information.