Lethbridge election ballots to be hand-counted, voters will need to register

Residents in Lethbridge will, for the first time, be required to register to vote. Bill 20 mandates that all municipalities have an Elector’s List, or a complete list of everyone in the community who is eligible to vote.

People will be able to register online before October 1, 2025. They will also have the option to complete a registration form at their voting station.

Hand Counting Ballots

The province is outlawing electronic vote counting machines, forcing local governments to count all ballots by hand. The last time this was done in Lethbridge was in 1989.

The City of Lethbridge says hand counting will be much more time-consuming, estimating that it could take as long as four days to release the results.

They add that hand counting will also be more complex because they will need to have separate ballots for council, public school trustees, and separate school trustees.

“The City Clerk’s Office conducted two mock hand-counting exercises to determine the time and number of people that will be required to hand-count the estimated 100,000 ballots. It is anticipated that it will take 80 people 44 hours (four days) to hand-count Mayor, Councillors and School Public/Separate Trustees,” reads part of a council agenda.

Tabulators, by contrast, can have the results ready within one hour of polls closing.

Cost of Running Municipal Elections

It will be almost twice as expensive for the City of Lethbridge to conduct this year’s municipal elections thanks to the new rules under Bill 20.

They say standard election expenses in the city are $342,186.

The Bill 20 impacts are expected to add $323,360 in costs, bringing the total to over $665,000.

The good news is that, at least for this time, the City will be able to cover the additional expenses with previously unspent funds.

The City will need to increase its future election operating budgets.

General Information

Voting for the 2025 municipal election in Lethbridge will take place from October 8-20.

There will likely be three voting “superstations” with one each on the north, south and west sides. The locations have yet to be determined.

The nomination period for mayor, council and school board trustee candidates is now open. More information can be found in the article below:

by David Opinko

Lethbridge election ballots to be hand-counted, voters will need to register

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