Alberta byelection advanced poll numbers show high turnout

Early numbers measuring the votes cast in advance polls indicate voter turnout is likely to be high for a byelection.

• Alberta byelections: the campaigns up to now

Elections Alberta released numbers today that show roughly 10,000 voteswere castbetween Oct.22-25 in the four electoral divisions holding byelections:

• Calgary-Elbow.
• Calgary-Foothills.
• Calgary-West.
• Edmonton-Whitemud.

It's not a normalbyelection. You've got the premier running, you've got cabinet ministers running, you've got TV ads going on.- political scientist DuaneBratt

In the 2012 general election,12,335 ballots were cast in advanced polls in those same electoral divisions.

Political scientistDuane Bratt said Mondaya high turnout is to beexpected.

"I have a feeling this number will be a lot closer to general election numbers because it's not a normal byelection. You've got the premier running, you've got cabinet ministers running, you've got TV ads going on," saidBratt.

A typical byelection turnout is around 35-40 per cent, where Alberta would normally see a turnout of around 60 per cent in a general election, he said.

Albertas chiefelectoral officerGlen Resler says election staff are prepared for a strong turnout on election day.