All eyes on Calgary, undecided voters as Albertans hit the polls
Election day in Alberta has many agreeing it's a tight race between incumbent Danielle Smith of the United Conservative Party and NDP leader former premier Rachel Notley, in a campaign that has, in many ways, been unlike any other.
In the final push to get voters to the polls, the ground game is crucial, as that's when parties get their supporters to actually cast their vote. And for many, it seems there's a sense this election comes at a critical time. Advanced polling has been off the charts, with more than 750,000 Albertans casting their ballots before election day.
Lori Williams is a professor of political science at Mount Royal University in Calgary. She thinks the UCP's ground game may be a bit dusty. After all, the party has had a strong base, and little to no competition for years. The NDP, who many believe got protest votes in 2015, may be hungrier.
"I think it's really going to come down to who is not just better organized, but who can actually persuade these fence-sitting voters to come out and vote for them," Williams told CTV.
Williams added undecided voters in heavily populated Calgary and around Edmonton could decide if Notley wins or Smith returns to power. Edmonton typically votes left, Calgary right.
Stephen Carter, a campaign strategist and president of Decide Campaigns is focused on Calgary. He says there are two groups to watch.
"The first is racialized voters. They are breaking almost 2 to 1 for the NDP," explained Carter. "Women voters are breaking 15 to 20 percent higher for the NDP."
What could sway some voters, are endorsements from Conservative politicians who are voting for the NDP. Williams said she's never seen anything like this in Alberta.
Aside from leadership, two big issues facing voters are healthcare and finances.
In the past week, emergency room doctors warned they and the system are in crisis, and that it would get even worse under the UCP.
Williams said concerns around affordability and the economy are also top of mind, and those worried about jobs typically vote conservative.
Williams said there are also rumours that some UCP candidates are promising to get rid of Smith after the election. Even if she wins, the party is deeply divided.
Despite all the challenges -- recent polls suggest Smith may edge out Notley to get a majority of the 87 seats available .
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.