What is preferential voting and how will it shape the UCP leadership contest?
One political scientist says the United Conservative Party's leadership vote result on Thursday night will come down to how many voting rounds need to occur under the preferential voting system.
What is preferential voting, and how does it work? Here's what you need to know.
Unlike provincial elections, which rely on a first-past-the-post system, the UCP bylaws call for leadership contests to use preferential ballots.
"In order to be elected leader, a candidate must receive over 50 per cent of the valid votes cast," the bylaws state.
Each ballot is worth one vote, but electors select the candidates in their order of preference, with the first choice being their most preferred candidate. Members can rank as many or as few candidates as they wish.
When tabulating results, should a leadership contestant receive more than 50 per cent of the total number of first-preference ballots cast, that candidate is the winner.
If no single candidate garners the required threshold, the contestant with the least amount of first-preference votes is dropped. Ballots for the dropped candidate are then redistributed to whomever those voters selected as their second choice.
That process is repeated until a candidate can meet the more than 50 per cent threshold.
Since seven candidates are vying for the position of UCP's top job, voters could select their order of preference for seven contestants, and there will be a maximum of seven rounds of voting, if necessary.
The UCP governance manual states the result of each round of voting should be publicly announced once completed.
In the unlikely event there is ever a tie, the UCP leadership election committee chair's ballot would be counted to determine which contestant is eliminated.
In Alberta, provincial elections use first-past-the-post, where electors select one candidate on a ballot, with the contestant who earns the highest number of votes being elected.
Under that system, the candidate with the most votes can win, which can often mean they are elected without an absolute majority.
'NEVER RULE OUT UNPREDICTABLE THINGS'
Political scientist Chaldeans Mensah described the preferential ballot system as a "tricky system" that can create surprises depending on which candidate is dropped after the first ballot.
"Never rule out unpredictable things to happen with the preferential ballot system," Mensah said. "Everything depends on who gets dropped out of the count in the first ballot."
For this contest, Mensah, with MacEwan University, believes it will ultimately result in a two-horse race between Danielle Smith and Travis Toews.
"If she doesn't do so well on the first ballot, then that sets up the potential for someone to come from behind," he added.
"If it's a short contest, maybe one, two, three rounds, I think Danielle Smith will likely win it."
Five other people are running to lead the UCP and become premier-designate of Alberta: Brian Jean, Rebecca Schulz, Rajan Sawhney, Leela Aheer, and Todd Loewen.
The new leader is expected to be announced after 7:30 p.m.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Diego Romero
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.