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An Alberta election that once looked like a Tory cakewalk is instead developing into a close three-way race — at least in the early going of the campaign, according to two new polls.

A survey conducted by Mainstreet Technologies shows the Wildrose in the lead with 31 per cent support among decided voters, followed by the Progressive Conservatives at 27 per cent and the NDP at 26 per cent.

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The Liberals sit at 12 per cent support, and the Alberta Party is at three per cent.

“It’s probably the most exciting election I can remember,” said Mainstreet’s Quito Maggi. “I can’t recall a three-way (Alberta) race in my lifetime.”

The poll surveyed 3,270 Albertans using interactive voice response (IVR) technology on April 7, the day Prentice called the election for May 5.

Maggi said the survey shows the PCs dropping three points from a week earlier, the Wildrose up a point and the NDP surging by eight points.

The New Democrats are dominating Edmonton at 40 per cent support, more than twice as much as any other party, while the PCs have only a two-point lead over Wildrose in Calgary.

Maggi said the poll shows the “residual anger” from Premier Jim Prentice’s tough budget, released at the end of March, which introduced a host of tax increases, froze spending and projects a record $5-billion deficit.