the effect of redistricting on the 2017 calgary municipal election

In order to account for population growth that has occurred within the City, on October 16, 2017, the City of Calgary implemented new ward boundaries. Overall, the redistricting impacted 58 of the City's 198 communities (Elections Calgary, 2017).

Without evidence of unethical practices during this redistricting process, why should the implementation of new ward boundaries matter to you?

• Different boundaries have been found to produce different election outcomes, even when voting patterns remain consistent (Taylor & Johnston, 1979)
• Constituency size impacts voter turnout:
  • Compact constituencies tend to produce higher turnouts
  • Constituencies with preexisting and easily identifiable boundaries tend to produce higher turnouts (Engstrom, 2005)
• Redistricting often impacts the reelection of incumbents:
  • Incumbents lose their 'incumbency advantage', which boils down to name recognition (Desposato & Petroak, 2005)