The 1916 Calgary municipal election took place on December 11, 1916 to elect a Mayor to a one-year term and six Aldermen on a two-year term, and two Aldermen for a one-year term, to sit on the thirty-second Calgary City Council. In addition, a Commissioner, four members for the Public School Board, three members for the Separate School Board, two plebiscites on single transferable vote and Daylight Savings were both on the ballot.
The seven elected Aldermen joined Aldermen Samuel Hunter Adams, Robert Colin Marshall, John McNeill, Thomas John Searle Skinner, and George Frederick Tull who were previously elected for two-year terms in 1915 to Calgary City Council.
Background The election was held under multiple non-transferable vote where each elector was able to cast a ballot for the mayor, commissioner and six ballots for Aldermen who were elected at-large with the city as one large district.
Extension of voting franchise to all residents male or female who are British subjects 21 years of age who have been residents of the city for six months prior to June 1 of the year of a municipal election. This was the first election in Calgary under full franchise.
A one-year Alderman position was opened on Council following Adoniram Judson Samis' resignation to run for Commissioner. The six candidates with the most votes were elected to two year terms, while the next two highest candidates were elected to a single year term.
Mayor Costello and Commissioner Graves were acclaimed upon the close of nominations on December 7, 1915.
Results Mayor Candidate Votes Percent Michael Copps Costello 2,159 James Abel Hornby 1,299 William Thomas Daniel Lathwell 1,088
Commissioner Candidate Votes Percent Adoniram Judson Samis 2,266 James Hay Garden 1,358 Arthur Walter Ellson Fawkes 902
Councillors Candidate Votes Percent Herbert Bealey Adshead 4,021 Robert John Tallon 3,895 Isaac Gideon Ruttle 3,753 Alexander McTaggart 3,739 John Sidney Arnold 3,693 Allan Poyntz Patrick 3,677 Andrew Graham Broatch (One Year) 3,389 Manarey 3,038
School board trustee Public school board Candidate Votes Percent Alex Ross 3,187 William McCartney Davidson 3,319 Herbert Arthur Sinnott 2,958 George William Kerby 2,240 A. Scott Dawson 2,149 J. Barnecut 1,974
Separate school board James Sullivan - Acclaimed Peter Collins - Acclaimed Francis Joseph Conroy - Acclaimed
Plebiscite Proportional representation Future municipal elections conducted with single transferable vote. For - 3,223 Against - 1,383
Daylight savings Daylight savings time. For - 1,207 Against - 3,141
See also List of Calgary municipal elections
References