When some voters pulled up to the voting stations and saw long lines snaking around the gym, it sparked pride for some posting on social media at midday, applauding democracy in action.

But despite long lines and even longer waits, the one thing Edmonton Elections could definitively reveal by the end of day was the final overall turnout tally for Oct. 20, 2025 was the lowest since 2007.

Voters trickled in at a dismal 30 per cent rate — and battled long lines when they did show up at the polls, prompting some to give up and return home without casting a ballot.

In Calgary, turnouts was reported to be low as well, down from the 60 per cent of eligible voters in 2017, and the some 46 per cent of the electorate turning out to cast a municipal ballot in 2021.

But was it low turnout or high

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