Turnout of 304,774 for Olympic plebiscite as polling hours extended

After a lengthy and divisive debate over whether the city should bid for the 2026 Winter Olympics, Calgarians showed up by the thousands Tuesday to have their say on the issue.

A total tally of 304,774 ballots were cast, including 46,620 advance votes and another 8,001 mail-in ballots, with the results showing 56.4 per cent of voters saying they were against a Calgary bid.

That voter turnout compares to a total voter turnout in the 2017 general election of 387,583.

City of Calgary returning officer Laura Kennedy said she was very proud of the work by the teams involved in the plebiscite and pleased with results from the city ’s first use of electronic tabulators.

“The extended hours, I think, was very successful,” added Kennedy.

Polls were open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for Calgarians to participate in the non-binding plebiscite, which asked residents whether they are for or against the city hosting the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Elections Calgary had a total of 160 voting locations across the city.

Erin Waite from No Calgary Olympics said Calgarians “got engaged in the process.”

Yes Calgary volunteer Genevieve McLean called it “wonderful that people exercised their democratic right.”

Some residents posted photos of lineups outside polling stations during the post-work rush after 5 p.m. The City of Calgary reminded residents by Twitter that if they were in line at 8 p.m., they could still cast their vote.