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Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Facing off against the onslaught of professional campaigners and volunteers is Calgary’s vastly less-experienced No side.

Organizers with No Calgary Olympics say they haven’t collected any donations, but have spent around $2,000 on their campaign so far.

“We know that we’re outgunned, I think that is clear,” said Jeanne Milne with No Calgary Olympics. “But Calgary likes the underdog, Calgary listens to the underdog. It’s one of the great things I like about this city.

“I think what we’re saying makes sense. And I’m hopeful Calgarians will listen.”

Milne says her group has drawn inspiration from Boston’s successful bid opposition and is focusing on social media outreach. Her group is also hoping to participate in organized forums and debates closer to voting day.

City clerk Laura Kennedy says in many ways, the lead-up to the plebiscite will look like an ordinary municipal election campaign.

“I think you’ll have forums where people will speak for and against and there will be people there asking their questions, which is very similar to what you’d see in a regular election,” Kennedy said. “Because it’s only two sides, there’s not multiple candidates like you’d have in a typical election, so there will be more of a focused (discussion).”

While the campaigners won’t have to formally register with Elections Calgary, they will have to abide by the usual election signage rules, Kennedy said.

Kennedy wouldn’t hazard a guess on voter turnout but pointed out that the city has rarely, if ever, conducted a stand-alone plebiscite. Plebiscites are typically wrapped into a general election — the last one being plebiscites on fluoride and VLTs during the 1998 election, she said.

“In my experience, Calgarians are very engaged. They will come out and vote.”

mpotkins@postmedia.com

Twitter: @mpotkins