Red Deer Elections: Making 2029 a Smoother Vote

By Kevin M. Klerks, Candidate Red Deer City Council 2025

If you voted in Red Deer’s 2025 municipal election, you probably remember the long lines, the crowded polling stations, and the frustration of seeing people leave without casting their ballots. It wasn’t because Red Deerians don’t care — they care a lot — it was because the system itself struggled to keep up.

We need to look honestly at what happened and think about how Elections Red Deer can make 2029 smoother, fairer, and more accessible for everyone. Here’s what I’ve seen and learned:

1. Bring back more polling stations.

In 2017, Red Deer had roughly 14 polling stations, but that number dropped to 8 in 2021 and then to 7 in 2025, because the city chose to reduce the locations. Compare that to Lethbridge and Grande Prairie, which have similar numbers of eligible voters and still manage with only 3 polling stations each. So, was the number of polling stations really the main problem behind long lines in Red Deer, or were there other administrative issues at play? On top of that, over 10,000 residents had to re-register this year, which slowed things down even more. It’s clear that careful planning — not just more polling stations — is essential.

2. Open polls earlier.

Starting at 10 a.m. was tough for many, especially parents or workers trying to squeeze voting into a busy day. Opening at 7 a.m. would help spread out the crowd even more and give everyone a fair shot at voting without causing confusion. It’s a simple change that could make a huge difference.

3. Manage lineups better.

Waiting in line is frustrating, and some voters left before casting their ballot. Using timestamp cards could help staff track how long people are waiting and identify bottlenecks, giving Elections Red Deer real data to improve efficiency in future elections. Tracking line times more carefully could prevent people from leaving and missing their chance to vote.

Take Parkland Mall, for example. They had 8 sign-in tables but only 4 polling booths, all squeezed into a space half the size of the location used in the last general election. That makes you wonder why the layout wasn’t adjusted to match voter volume, and whether space and resource allocation might have contributed as much to the delays as the number of stations itself.

4. Focus on accessibility.

Voting should be easy for seniors, parents, and people with mobility challenges. Seating, priority lines, and extra volunteers make a huge difference. Some challenges, like parents needing to care for children during the teachers’ strike, are beyond the city’s control. Elections Red Deer doesn’t provide childcare, but malls or community centers used as polling locations could consider having a drop-in center on-site, so parents could vote without disrupting their day. Choosing locations with these facilities could make a real difference for families.

5. Learn from the special ballot issues.

Special ballots were mailed out, but a postal strike meant some never arrived. Offering local drop boxes or in-person pickup options next time would prevent this problem and ensure everyone has a fair chance to vote, even when external factors interfere.

6. Collect and publish feedback.

Residents need a chance to share their experiences and suggestions. Publishing feedback openly would help everyone see that input is being taken seriously and improvements are actually being implemented.
7. Communicate clearly.

Delays and unclear instructions confused a lot of voters. Live updates during counting or a results dashboard could give everyone confidence and prevent misinformation or frustration. One factor to consider is that other cities use wards, which lets them release results faster because each ward is tallied independently. Red Deer counts by poll, which takes longer and delays results city-wide. Could learning from other cities’ ward system improve transparency and speed in the future?

8. Raise awareness.

Some residents didn’t even know an election was happening. Posters, social media, local radio, and community partnerships could fix that. We need to make sure newcomers and less-engaged residents know the dates, times, and locations of polling stations — knowledge is power, and it’s a first step toward participation.

9. Promote and expand advance voting.

Only 3,500 people voted in advance in 2025 compared to roughly 10,000 in 2021. Clearly, advance polls weren’t used enough. Expanding the number of advance polling locations, keeping them open longer, and promoting them more effectively could reduce election-day congestion and give voters more flexibility.
10. Keep independent reviews — but make them transparent.

Post-election reviews already happen, but publishing detailed timelines, counts, and explanations would give residents confidence that their vote truly matters. Clear, open reviews show accountability and help everyone understand what went wrong and what will improve in the future.

11. Address voter turnout.

Turnout in 2025 was disappointing, even among people who care deeply about the city. One major factor was the lack of local media coverage. Out of roughly 11 candidate forums, only two or maybe three received any reporting, and coverage of an Indigenous-focused forum felt like a “we have to cover this” box-check rather than serious journalism. Many residents only learned about the election through social media or community groups. While Rogers TV covered the campaigns far more than the Red Deer Advocate, it still wasn’t enough.

For example, one forum was reported as “An estimated 250 concerned citizens attended a municipal election forum in Red Deer Friday night,” but the actual attendance was closer to 400, showing strong engagement that largely went unreported. Imagine how many more people might have participated if reliable coverage existed for all candidates and forums.

Red Deerians care about their city. The problems in 2025 weren’t about people not showing up — they were about a process that struggled to keep pace. Thoughtful planning, better communication, and a focus on accessibility can make 2029 a smoother, more inclusive, and more trustworthy election for everyone.