1931 Calgary municipal election


The 1931 Calgary municipal election was held on November 18, 1931 to elect a Mayor and six Aldermen to sit on Calgary City Council. Along with positions on Calgary City Council, four trustees for the Public School Board, three trustees for the Separate School Board, and three questions put before the voters. Calgary City Council was composed of a Mayor, a Commissioner and twelve Aldermen who were elected to staggered two year terms. The Council served under the rules of "Direct Legislation", subject to citizen's rights to "Initiative, Referendum and Recall".
Mayor Andrew Davison, the sitting mayor was running for re-election. Six Aldermen - Lloyd Hamilton Fenerty, Ralph William Patterson, John Walker Russell, Wilmot Douglas Milner, Fred J. White, and Charles Edward Carr - who had been elected in 1930, continued in their positions.

Background

The election was held under the Single Transferable Voting/Proportional Representation (STV/PR) with the term for aldermen being two years.
Incumbent Mayor Andrew Davison was challenged by Communist candidate Phil Luck, who garnered only 5.6 per cent of the popular vote. Luck expected to have greater support amongst foreign born residents. However the Calgary Herald reported a large number of resident aliens were refused the right to vote because they failed to provide naturalization papers or birth certificates.

Results

Council

Quota for election was 2,611.

Public School Board

Electing four trustees. The quota was 3,053
Amelia Turner was elected, received 4670 votes in first round of counting.
A.B. Singleton was elected, received 3996 votes in first round of counting.
F.E. Spooner was elected, received 3423 votes after transfers.
A.C. Newcombe was elected, received 2762 votes after transfers.
R.H. Berry received 1156 votes in first round of counting or after transfers.

Plebiscites

City manager

Reorganization of civic government, on whether a City Manager would be hired to take on the role of the current elected Commissioner.
  • For - 776
  • Against - 4,172

25th avenue bridge

25th Avenue Bridge for $45,000.
  • For - 2,845
  • Against - 652

Arterial highway paving

Arterial highway paving for $212,000.
  • For - 3,098
  • Against - 396