Career
Ells ran for a seat to the Alberta Legislature in the 1959 Alberta general election. He ran as the Social Cr candidate in the electoral district of Grouard. Ells ran for a second term in the 1963 Alberta general election.
He defeated two candidates winning a slightly larger majority to hold his seat.
Ells ran for a third term in the 1967 Alberta general election. He faced a strong challenge from NDP candidate Stan Daniels, but managed to hold his seat winning just over half the popular vote.
Ells retired from the legislature in 1971.