Left to right: John Middleton-Hope, Rob Miyashiro, and Layton Veverka ran in the 2024 Lethbridge-West by-election. A new report delves into the details of the race. (Photos: John Middleton-Hope, Alberta NDP, Alberta Party)

By David Opinko

Report details costs of 2024 Lethbridge-West by-election

Nov 27, 2025 | 9:29 AM

How much does it cost to run an election in a single riding? Now we know.

Elections Alberta has released its report on the 2024 by-election in Lethbridge-West.

The vote was required after former MLA Shannon Phillips resigned in June 2024.

READ MORE: Shannon Phillips resigns as Lethbridge-West MLA

Three candidates stepped up to fill her seat – Rob Miyashiro with the Alberta NDP, the United Conservative Party’s John Middleton-Hope, and Layton Veverka with the Alberta Party.

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The general election day was Dec. 18, 2024.

Miyashiro would go on to become the riding’s new provincial representative, securing 7,238 votes, or 53.3 per cent of the 13,568 ballots that were cast.

Middleton-Hope garnered 6,093 votes (44.9 per cent) while Veverka won the hearts of 237 people (1.7 per cent).

READ MORE: Rob Miyashiro confirmed as winner of Lethbridge-West by-election

Voter turnout was 36 per cent of the 37,828 eligible electors.

Elections Alberta reports that it cost $415,180 to run the by-election, with “technology services” being the biggest single expense at $138,250.

Labour proved to be pricey as it totalled $169,471. That includes $77,309 for the employment of voting staff, $51,044 for staff at the returning officer’s office, and $41,118 for “other” contract services.

Third-party advertisers spent a combined $862 in the race, including $775 from the Public Interest Alberta Society and $87 from the Alberta Accountability Alliance.

Campaign Finances

Rob Miyashiro

Among the three candidates, Miyashiro brought in the most money at $60,343. That includes $27,010 from the NDP and $33,333 in “other revenue,” which can entail things like surplus funds from his nomination contest, campaign fundraisers, and election goods or services paid by the party or constituency association on his behalf.

Miyashiro had $57,261 in election expenses as well as another $2,531 in other expenses that might not be subject to the normal campaign expense limits. He transferred $551 back to the Alberta NDP to ensure a balanced budget.

John Middleton-Hope

Middleton-Hope had a total of $41,653 in election revenues. He received $30,500 from the UCP, garnered $10,445 in individual contributions, and had another $708 in other revenue.

The conservative candidate had $36,408 in campaign expenses and $1,932 in other expenses, leaving him with a surplus of $3,313.

Layton Veverka

Veverka had the least amount of money to work with among the candidates at $5,300, which came entirely from the Alberta Party.

He incurred $3,488 in election expenses and $500 in other expenses, leaving him with a surplus of $1,312.

The full report on the 2024 Lethbridge-West by-election can be found on elections.ab.ca