Watch above: With the possibility a Flames playoff game on election day, Lisa MacGregor takes a look at how that might affect voter turnout. Doug Vaessen reports.
CALGARY – Ballot boxes or penalty boxes? It’s a question that Calgarians may have to face next Tuesday, May 5 when the provincial election could coincide with a Calgary Flames NHL playoff game.
The Flames enter Round 2 of the playoffs against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday, April 30, and play again Sunday, May 3. If Tampa Bay Lightning wins against Detroit Red Wings this Wednesday, the Flames will play on election day.
The Red Mile is likely to draw crowds well before the 7:30 p.m. puck drop, but one political analyst doesn’t think it will have much effect on voter turnout.
“For anybody who is interested in paying attention to both, the playoffs and the election will have ample opportunity to do both should there be a playoff game on election day,” said Melanee Thomas, assistant professor in political science at the University of Calgary.
Election day polls and advance polls are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; advance polls are held Wednesday, April 29 until Saturday, May 2. Thomas says this gives people plenty of time to vote, and suggests those who say they’ve been distracted by the playoffs may not have been paying too much attention to politics in general.
READ MORE: Decision Alberta 2015 – Voting 101
“If I was to guess, I’d say turnout would be as high as what it was in 2012—and it’s because of competitiveness,” said Thomas. She said the narrative around the upcoming election is that it’s more competitive than in the past.
“Albertans are cynical—we haven’t changed government since 1971—but still the competitiveness of this election (for those interested and motivated to participate), that competitiveness will have more effect on turnout than what hockey would.”
Flames player and Calgary native Joe Colbourne said voting is something Canadians shouldn’t take for granted, and urged people to cast their ballots.
“People have fought and died for our right to go out and be able to elect our government,” he said Tuesday.
“First of all, get informed of what’s going on, and then go out and exercise that right that people have waited a lifetime for.”
Thomas reminds people that employers are required to give Albertans time off work to vote.
Voting places are established for all polling areas in a location considered to be the most convenient for the majority of eligible voters. To find the voting station near you, enter your postal code in the search form here.
FULL COVERAGE: Alberta election 2015
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