Where are Calgary's voters? Advance turnout plummets

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With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, Calgary is shifting gears straight into spooky season. The decorations are up, costumes are coming out, and there's a perfect autumn chill in the air for all things haunted. Whether you're carving pumpkins, sipping cocktails at a horror-themed bar, or simply soaking up the fall festivities, October has plenty of reasons to embrace the eerie before Halloween arrives.

👀 In today's edition:

• Labour disruptions continue across the city

• Employment numbers shift in September

• Police make arrests in recent incidents

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QUICK POLL

Where are Calgary's voters? Advance turnout plummets

Calgary wrapped up its advance voting period on Saturday with significantly fewer ballots cast compared to the last municipal election, raising questions about voter engagement ahead of the Oct. 20 election day. While the final advance voting day drew the highest turnout of the six-day period with over 22,000 ballots, the overall advance voting numbers tell a different story. CBC News reported that roughly 96,500 people voted early this year, a steep decline from the approximately 124,000 who cast advance ballots during the same period in 2021.

Political observers point to several factors that may be dampening turnout. Mount Royal University political scientist Lori Williams suggested that voters are struggling to understand where candidates stand on key issues. "They don't have a clear sense of what the candidates stand for, who is the candidate that aligns most closely with what they want to accomplish," Williams told CityNews. The introduction of municipal political parties has also created uncertainty, with some voters opposed to or confused by the new system.

However, other circumstances may be influencing participation as well. Martha Hall Findlay from the School of Public Policy noted that the ongoing teachers' strike has left many parents scrambling to arrange childcare, which could be affecting their ability to vote. "A lot of people are trying to figure out what to do with their kids, so that might be the biggest single factor," Hall Findlay told CityNews. She also suggested that pleasant fall weather before expected snowfall may have kept some people from polling stations, though she expressed hope that voters would still turn out on election day given the importance of municipal races.

Need to know

👤 Police took a 28-year-old man into custody after he allegedly attacked a woman from behind while she walked along a pathway in northwest Calgary's Confederation Park.

🏫 Alberta expanded its parent compensation program to provide additional daily payments for families with special needs children who missed school due to the teachers' strike, though parents emphasized their greater need for educational resources rather than financial assistance.

🏈 Raymond High School's football team faced the possibility of losing their chance at a provincial championship when the ongoing teachers' strike threatened to cancel the remainder of their season.

🗳️ Calgary and Edmonton reintroduced municipal political parties to local ballots after a decades-long absence that began in the 1970s, reviving a practice that had dominated city politics from the early 1900s through the mid-20th century.

🚗 A Calgary man faced charges after police said he drove through a Lethbridge arena parking lot and injured three people before leaving the scene and colliding with an unoccupied vehicle nearby.

📊 Calgary's jobless rate rose to 8.1 percent in September compared to the previous month, even as Alberta recorded its largest single-month employment gain outside of pandemic-related fluctuations.

📚 Tutoring services and public libraries in Calgary reported heightened interest from parents seeking educational support and curriculum-based resources while students remained home during the teachers' strike.

17th Avenue bar trades palm trees for Halloween frights

A popular Calgary cocktail bar is trading its tropical vibes for something more sinister this fall. Ricardo's Hideaway on 17th Avenue has launched its seasonal transformation into Ricardo's Nightmare Before Christmas, running through the beginning of November after the concept proved successful in previous years.

The Halloween-themed pop-up features a specially crafted menu of eerie cocktails alongside haunted decorations and ghostly music. Guests can order drinks like the Ectoplasm, which combines milk-washed vodka with sweet potato shōchū and lychee, or the Giallo, an Irish whiskey creation served with a torched pear garnish. The bar's regular beverage selection remains available throughout the seasonal takeover, which runs daily from 5 p.m. until late.

"It's like your favourite tropical bar got cursed — in the best way," said Sam Cook, District General Manager for Concorde Entertainment Group. The venue is accepting reservations for the limited-time experience, which continues until November 2, and is encouraging patrons to arrive in costume. Walk-in guests are also welcome at the 5th Street Southwest location.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 4th Spot Kitchen & Bar: Score incredible deals during daily happy hour from 2-5pm with everything from pillowy garlic dough boys and crispy rice bites to mini pizzas and chicken tenders, plus $5 beverages including wine, draft beer, and cocktails.

🍴 Native Tongues: Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavours and energy of Mexico City at this award-winning taqueria where happy hour specials run late into the evening and a loyalty club gets you exclusive perks plus a complimentary taco just for joining.

Have a food or drink suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

Things to do

🎟️ Offline Wellness Club: Escape the daily grind at Calgary's first recovery club, where traditional saunas and ice-cold plunge tubs offer a weekly reset designed to reduce stress, improve sleep, and help you disconnect from the chaos.

🎟️ Pumpkins After Dark: Wander through a magical outdoor pathway illuminated by more than 10,000 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns featuring everything from classic Halloween creatures to pop culture icons at this award-winning fall spectacle running through October 31st.

Have an event suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

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