Thank You, Election Workers
November 25, 2025
Thank you to Kevin, Cathy and Nicole - these are just a few of the many election workers who signed on to make sure the 2025 Municipal Election was successful. There were so many more, we wish we could highlight them all!
That’s right, behind every ballot cast in Red Deer’s 2025 Municipal and School Boards Election was a team of dedicated people who made it all happen. From helping voters at the polls to answering calls and emails, from safeguarding ballots to hand-counting tens of thousands of votes - our election workers were the heart of this democratic process.
And sometimes it feels like we forget there are people behind the scenes. While there were bumps along the way, our many dedicated election workers are what
Elections are serious business, and our election workers know it. They work long hours, greeting people at the pools, registering voters, counting ballots and somehow doing it with a smile on their face.
This year, more election workers were needed than ever before. The provincially mandated hand count meant that every single ballot was verified by people — not machines — requiring patience, precision and teamwork. Across days, evenings and weekends, our teams worked tirelessly to ensure that every vote was counted accurately and securely.
Let’s talk about Kevin, Kevin erved as an Information Officer. His day started early, helping fellow staff prepare for the opening of the polls, checking signage, and ensuring everything was ready for voters to arrive. “I oversaw opening the doors at the correct time and helped voters understand what identification was required,” Kevin shared. “If lineups were long, I’d chat with voters to make them feel comfortable, and assist those with disabilities or seniors who needed a bit of extra help.”
What stood out most to Kevin was the spirit of teamwork and the positive attitude of those around him. “Everyone was friendly, hardworking, and welcoming,” he said. “I learned so much about how municipal elections really work. It gives you purpose - a chance to meet new people, be part of your community, and make a difference.”
For Cathy, who worked at both advance voting and on election day, it was the people that made the experience memorable. As a Deputy Returning Officer at advance polls, she took the opportunity to learn everything she could before stepping into a leadership role on election day as a Presiding Deputy Returning Officer. “The team at Deer Park Church was incredible,” she recalled. “We had a full house all day — sometimes voters waited an hour or more — but our staff stayed upbeat and committed, taking minimal breaks during their 12-hour day to keep things moving smoothly.”
After working in several elections over the years, Cathy says the experience never loses its meaning. “You’re contributing to democracy in a very real way. It’s a good feeling of citizenship.”
Nicole joined the team for her first election, serving as a Deputy Returning Officer during advance voting and later as an Assistant Presiding Deputy Returning Officer on election day. Her early days at the advance polls gave her time to learn, connect, and build confidence. “We were trying some new processes, but everyone worked together to make it successful,” she said. “We even had a little coffee station and cookies — it felt like a team right from the start.”
On election day, Nicole moved to the Collicutt Centre, one of the city’s busiest locations. “It was just enjoyable to walk around and talk to people, figure out how long it might take them to vote, and help anyone with mobility issues find the right entrance,” she shared. “What stood out the most was seeing people of all ages showing up to make their vote matter — it really fueled my sense of community.”
Nicole said she came away inspired to keep learning and to encourage others to get involved. “Everyone should become a participant in our elections, not just a voter,” she said. “It helps you see how much work goes into making sure every vote counts. We all worked as hard as we could because we wanted everyone’s voice to be heard.”
For many election workers, these moments of connection and shared purpose made the long hours worthwhile. Friendships were formed between strangers, and a common pride emerged in serving the community. Whether greeting voters, managing logistics, or counting ballots late into the night, each person played a vital role in ensuring Red Deer’s 2025 election was fair, accurate, and transparent.
To all our election workers: thank you.
Your professionalism, patience, and positivity helped make this election possible. You showed what civic commitment looks like in action — and for that, our entire community is grateful.