In a heart-pounding showdown that kept everyone on the edge of their seats, Calgary has just crowned a new mayor in one of the closest races we've seen in years! If you're wondering who stepped up to lead this vibrant city forward, stick around – the details are fascinating and full of surprises.
Posted October 21, 2025, 8:15 AM
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Albertans across the province headed to the polls on Monday to choose their local leaders in an election that's been called surprisingly lackluster – or 'meh,' as some put it. But in Calgary, the mayoral contest turned out to be anything but boring.
According to the latest unofficial tallies from Elections Calgary, Jeromy Farkas has emerged as the victor in this intensely competitive race. He squeaked by with a razor-thin margin, defeating the strong challenger and ousting the sitting mayor in the process. Imagine the tension as the votes rolled in late Monday night – it was the kind of drama that makes politics feel alive!
With every single one of the 380 polling stations fully reported, Farkas secured 91,065 votes. That's just a mere 585 votes ahead of his closest rival, Sonya Sharp, who garnered 90,480 votes by Tuesday morning. For context, that's like winning a marathon by a single step after miles of grueling effort. Trailing in third place was the incumbent mayor, Jyoti Gondek – Calgary's trailblazing first female mayor – with 71,397 votes. Gondek, ever gracious, conceded the race late that evening, reflecting on her time in office as the profound honor of serving as the city's 37th mayor. Her words remind us how personal and passionate public service can be.
This election wasn't just about Calgary; municipalities throughout Alberta were busy selecting their mayors, city council members, and school board trustees on the same day. It's a crucial process for shaping local communities, from pothole fixes to school funding decisions that affect families every day.
Now, let's talk numbers on participation in Calgary. Out of more than 896,000 registered voters – that's a huge pool of potential voices – fewer than 350,000 actually showed up to vote for the next mayor, per Elections Calgary data. And this is the part most people miss: voter turnout can make or break how well a city reflects its people's needs. Why the dip? Well, advance voting from October 6 to 11 saw about 10.7% of eligible voters participate, equating to roughly 96,549 ballots. That's a stark drop – over 30% lower than in the previous cycle, not just in Calgary but also in Edmonton. For beginners dipping into civic engagement, advance polls are those early voting options that let you cast your ballot before election day, making it easier for busy folks to join in.
But here's where it gets controversial: the results are taking longer to finalize than usual, thanks to fresh provincial rules passed by the United Conservative Party (UCP) government back in 2024. Under this new law, all ballots must now be tallied manually by hand, ditching the machines that sped things up before. Supporters argue it boosts accuracy and prevents tampering – a fair point in an era of election skepticism – but critics say it's a step backward that burdens volunteers and delays democracy. What do you think: does the extra scrutiny justify the slowdown, or is it unnecessary red tape?
Adding to the frustration, many polling stations faced epic wait times and snaking lines that stretched outside buildings, with some folks cooling their heels for up to two hours just to vote. Elections Calgary points the finger at Bill 20, the provincial legislation that mandates workers to verify voters against a brand-new 'permanent electors register.' If your name isn't listed, no problem – you can still vote, but you'll need to show one piece of government-issued photo ID plus proof of your current address, like a utility bill, lease, or bank statement. It's meant to tighten security, but for newcomers to the voting process, this can feel like jumping through hoops when all you want is to have your say.
The situation got even trickier because of the ongoing Canada Post strike. In previous elections, registered voters got handy voter information cards mailed right to their doors, guiding them on where and when to vote. Without those, confusion likely played a role in the lower turnout and longer lines. It's a reminder of how everyday disruptions, like a postal walkout, can ripple into our democratic routines.
As for the rest of Calgary's city council races, Global News will keep you posted with updates as soon as they're official. Stay tuned – these decisions will shape everything from traffic flow to community programs in the coming years.
Trending topics right now include the Toronto Blue Jays' thrilling 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners, propelling them to the World Series (check it out here: https://globalnews.ca/news/11486874/jays-beat-mariners-4-3-advance-to-world-series/), and a heartfelt plea from an Alberta mother urging police to step up the search for her missing son: 'He's out there' (more details: https://globalnews.ca/news/11485644/darius-macdougall-disappearance-mother-more-action/). Plus, those long voting lines across Alberta are making headlines too (read more: https://globalnews.ca/news/11486575/alberta-municipal-elections-long-lines/).
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— With contributions from Global News reporters Ken MacGillivray and Karen Bartko
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
So, Calgary voters, was this election's drama worth the wait, or did the new rules just complicate things too much? And for those outside the city, how do you feel about hand-counted ballots – a safeguard or a hassle? Drop your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have a fresh take on it all!
