Edmonton Ward 12 byelection experiences good turnout in advance voting

EDMONTON – If advance voting is any indication, the turn out for the Ward 12 byelection will be higher than a typical byelection.

When advance polls closed Thursday night, 3,721 residents had cast a ballot.

“It was a good turnout and so we are hoping for healthy participation on Election Day,” Laura Kennedy, returning officer, said.

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READ MORE: ‘Last Candidate Standing’ gives Edmonton Ward 12 candidates a chance to share their message

There are 32 candidates running to replace Amarjeet Sohi in the southeast Edmonton ward after Sohi was elected as Member of Parliament for Edmonton Mill Woods in October. That’s more than 10 times the candidates in the 2013 general election, when there were three names on the ballot.

In the 2013 election, voter turnout in the ward was 32 per cent.

READ MORE: Who’s running in Edmonton’s crowded Ward 12 byelection?

The Ward 12 byelection is Monday, Feb. 22 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Officials expected the results to be available by 8:30 p.m.

Whoever fills the vacant seat will be on council for less than two years, as the next civic election is in October 2017.