We live in interesting political times. But to the dismay of many, that hasn’t created interesting municipal races.
At a wedding this weekend, I sat beside someone running in Edmonton’s municipal election who felt that, perhaps, the focus that some (including Rage) have given to progressive organizing was due to a lack of interest in the race itself. After all, we don’t have a hockey arena in Edmonton to fight over this time.
For comparison, the CBC has shown that in Calgary, the stakes are high but there’s low attention.
Says the CBC:
In a poll conducted for CBC News in partnership with the University of Calgary, most Calgarians who participated said they are interested in municipal politics but many said they know very little — or nothing at all — about the candidates running for city council in their local wards.
This is shocking when I think back to the numbers reported by co-editor Tim Querengesser about the Calgary race. He found a range of $400 to $500,000 going into Calgary mayoral campaigns.
You would hope there could be a least a little interest for a half-million dollars.
Rage Goes Provincial
With news of that COVID-19 party in Edson (wtf Edson?), a Rage article from earlier in the month started to circulate again.
O’day’min Solidarity
After reports of racist remarks and threats against candidate Adrian Bluff, candidates in Ward O’day’min stood by him to condemn what he said he has been subjected to.
Bruff told CTV News that he has been called the N-word while door knocking as well as receiving hateful online comments.
Watson in the Wind
Sign drama continues:
In Calgary, Too..
AUMA Pledge
As some candidates in smaller regions get their campaigns rolling, the AUMA pledge returns!
Dondorsements
Outgoing Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson is endorsing three candidates currently running in the October municipal election — and two are running against council incumbents seeking re-election.
As you can imagine, not everyone’s impressed.
And Nickel Scoops an Endorsement As Well
According to an email sent by his campaign on September 24, Edmonton mayoral candidate Mike Nickel is now endorsed by Malik Chukwudi, who was previously running for mayor.
Early Voting
Do you already have your mind made up about who you want to vote for?
#Yeg can go to the polls as early as October 4 with advance voting running from 1 to 7 p.m. until October 13.
There are 12 advance voting locations throughout the city, one per ward. The city website has more information on voting locations.
Advance polls in Calgary also open October 4 and run to October 10. There are 37 advance polling stations.
#YEG Undecideds
Our friends at Taproot created a cool survey that matches your views with candidates for mayor and your ward.
But Nickel, of course, didn’t participate in the survey