Summary: Voters in this riding in west-central Alberta are going to the polls for the second time in less than a year. Conservative MP Jim Eglinski was elected here in a by-election last November to replace Conservative MP Rob Merrifield. Eglinski is running again, and so is his Liberal opponent, Hinton councillor Ryan Maguhn.
Boundaries: This riding has retained its name, but sees significant changes in its boundaries to the north and south. Formerly stretching north to Swan Hills, this riding now ends at Mayerthorpe in the north. To the south, it has picked up a large rural area that was formerly a part of the Wild Rose riding. This riding includes Jasper National Park.
Last Election: In the 2014 by-election, Conservative Eglinski was elected with 62.57 per cent of the vote, followed by Liberal Maguhn with 19.98 per cent. In 2011, voters within the new boundaries of this riding voted 78.1 per cent Conservative, and 12.9 per cent NDP.
History: The Yellowhead riding was represented by PC Leader Joe Clark from 1979 to 1993. Voters then went through what is a typical voting pattern for Alberta, voting Reform, then Canadian Alliance, and then Conservative since 2004. Rob Merrifield held the seat from 2000 until his resignation in 2014.
Demographics: English is the first language of 90.5 per cent of residents (as of the 2011 census), the highest figure in Alberta.
Candidates
Conservative: Jim Eglinski, MP since 2014
NDP: Ken Kuzminski, contractor
Liberal: Ryan Maguhn, Hinton councillor
Green: Sandra Wolf Lange
Libertarian: Cory Lystang