The 1920 Calgary municipal election was held on December 15, 1920 to a Mayor and six Aldermen to sit on Calgary City Council for two years, and two Aldermen to sit for one year. Additionally a Commissioner, three members for the Public School Board and two members for the Separate School Board were elected.
There were twelve aldermen on city council, but six of the positions were already filled: , George Harry Webster, Annie Gale, and , were all elected to two-year terms in 1919 and were still in office. Both Samuel Hunter Adams and resigned their positions as Aldermen to run for mayor.
A number of plebiscites were held, all requiring a majority to pass.
In the 1920 election for mayor, Adams ran against his only challenger, and fellow alderman . Adams and Ruttle were both friends and agreed to spend only $100 during the election, $50 for advertisements in the Calgary Herald and $50 for advertisements in the Albertan. During the campaign both candidates would travel together as Adams did not have a car, and alternated who would speak first at each event. Eventually both candidates broke the agreement to spend only $100 with Ruttle placing advertisements between films in one of the City's theaters, and Adams countered with a $25 advertisement in the Market Examiner. Adams won the election held on December 15, 1920 with approximately 60% of the vote and assumed the role of Calgary's 21st Mayor on January 3, 1920, serving until January 2, 1923.[2]
