BILL 20 ADDS AN UNEXPECTED $1.69 MILLION TO EDMONTON SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET

Bill 20 prohibits the use of electronic tabulators in municipal elections beginning October 31 and going into effectfor 2025. Board trustee Trisha Estabrooks, said the “unforeseen and unexpected” additional costs are unfair given the current funding crisis EPS is experiencing due to higher enrollments. She feels like we’re unfairly caught up in petty politics, and we’re not putting kids first on this one and that’s through no fault of our own.

”EPS contracts the City of Edmonton to administrate elections and pays 29 per cent of total election costs associated with planning and delivering the elections for trustees. The City of Edmonton estimates Bill 20 means $4.8 million in additional costs due to the need for more workers and use separate ballots and ballot boxes for — mayor, councillors, Catholic school board trustees, and public school board trustees.