Hundreds of Alberta United Conservative Party members gathered at the BMO Centre in Calgary to cast their ballots for the leadership race, with some of them saying the opportunity will provide renewal. .The Thursday lineup saw people gather outside Hall E, where people could drop off their ballots. The line went down and around the lobby, which filled towards the end of the voting period. .Anyone who was in line before the noon cutoff was allowed to vote. Prominent people in line included former Calgary city councillor and mayoral candidate Jeromy Farkas and Project Confederation executive director Josh Andrus. .About 85,000 UCP members cast their ballots in the leadership race. .UCP member Elizabeth Sachro said she would be casting her ballot for leadership candidate Danielle Smith. .“I just feel that she’s got a good platform,” said Sachro. .“I like that she wants to collaborate with other members and try and make Alberta a better province.” .Sachro said she is in favour of the Alberta Sovereignty Act. While she is backing Smith, she called UCP leadership candidate Travis Toews “a decent guy.” .UCP member Diane Spooner would not disclose who she was voting for, but she said she's worried about Smith winning. .“I voted for her when she was with Wildrose, but I still haven’t forgiven her for crossing (the floor),” said Spooner. .“When you do things for your own political advantage, that’s not a good thing.” .Spooner was among the 51% of people who voted to keep Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. She said Kenney was unpopular because he was perceived as not fighting as hard as he should for Alberta’s interests. .UCP member Ben Francis said he was voting for Toews. .“For me, the issue of life is an important one,” said Francis. .“To me, he’s the strongest candidate in that regard.” .Francis supported many of Kenney’s policies. He said Toews is “the most reasonable replacement for Kenney.” .Other in-person voting locations were opened in Edmonton, Red Deer, Slave Lake, and Taber. People could drop off their ballots between 8 a.m. to noon. .Voters were asked to bring photo identification and proof of address. Votes would be counted in an area behind curtains. .The vote will be conducted through ranked ballots. Results will be rolled out later in the day.
Hundreds of Alberta United Conservative Party members gathered at the BMO Centre in Calgary to cast their ballots for the leadership race, with some of them saying the opportunity will provide renewal. .The Thursday lineup saw people gather outside Hall E, where people could drop off their ballots. The line went down and around the lobby, which filled towards the end of the voting period. .Anyone who was in line before the noon cutoff was allowed to vote. Prominent people in line included former Calgary city councillor and mayoral candidate Jeromy Farkas and Project Confederation executive director Josh Andrus. .About 85,000 UCP members cast their ballots in the leadership race. .UCP member Elizabeth Sachro said she would be casting her ballot for leadership candidate Danielle Smith. .“I just feel that she’s got a good platform,” said Sachro. .“I like that she wants to collaborate with other members and try and make Alberta a better province.” .Sachro said she is in favour of the Alberta Sovereignty Act. While she is backing Smith, she called UCP leadership candidate Travis Toews “a decent guy.” .UCP member Diane Spooner would not disclose who she was voting for, but she said she's worried about Smith winning. .“I voted for her when she was with Wildrose, but I still haven’t forgiven her for crossing (the floor),” said Spooner. .“When you do things for your own political advantage, that’s not a good thing.” .Spooner was among the 51% of people who voted to keep Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. She said Kenney was unpopular because he was perceived as not fighting as hard as he should for Alberta’s interests. .UCP member Ben Francis said he was voting for Toews. .“For me, the issue of life is an important one,” said Francis. .“To me, he’s the strongest candidate in that regard.” .Francis supported many of Kenney’s policies. He said Toews is “the most reasonable replacement for Kenney.” .Other in-person voting locations were opened in Edmonton, Red Deer, Slave Lake, and Taber. People could drop off their ballots between 8 a.m. to noon. .Voters were asked to bring photo identification and proof of address. Votes would be counted in an area behind curtains. .The vote will be conducted through ranked ballots. Results will be rolled out later in the day.
