The new provincial election boundaries map is now public, and for southern Alberta residents, it might take some time to get used to the changes. The map splits Lethbridge into four ridings, which would absorb rural voters. The opposition says the map is manipulated in the UCP’s favour. Vulcan voters would be mixed in with those living way down the road. “For me, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” said one person CTV News spoke to. “I think they are trying to dilute the right-wing vote,” said another. The new provincial election boundaries map would see Vulcan absorbed into a new Lethbridge-Little Bow riding. This would pull in voters from north and west parts of Lethbridge. The city would go from two to four constituencies, incorporating more rural votes. Those living on the east side would vote with people from Milk River. Some west-side residents would be mixed in with people from Cardston and the surrounding area. There would be a central riding for the city. “The idea of hybrid ridings is very common—not only in our province. I represent a hybrid riding, and I think Medicine Hat is well served by having two representatives,” said Premier Danielle Smith. “Lethbridge will be very well-served by having four representatives. “I think the recommendation is to look at where hybrid ridings would make sense, and they might not make sense in all circumstances, but they certainly do in some.” Currently, the city is split into two ridings, with UCP caucus member Nathan Neudorf representing Lethbridge-East and NDP MLA Rob Miyashiro representing the west. The NDP calls the rejig gerrymandering to the UCP’s advantage. “This doesn’t make sense any way you look at it,” Miyashiro said. One political scientist says it’s pretty clear this benefits one party. “The fact that this confers a legislative advantage or electoral advantage to the UCP was either desired or ignored,” said Lori Williams, a political scientist with Mount Royal University. Ahead of next year’s election, a former Elections Alberta chief electoral officer says these new boundaries will force a time crunch. “When electoral boundaries change, an election management body has to shift its focus. … There’s a lot of additional planning and operational preparation required to transition an entire province to a new electoral map,” said Lorne Gibson. Gibson notes that involves dealing with staffing, contending with voter confusion and more. “Most people, and a dare say most politicians, too, have no idea of the complexity and the time that it takes,” Gibson said. The next election is set for Oct. 18, 2027.
