RECENT Q AND As
This is a summary of the frequently asked questions related to voting procedures to be used in the 2021 General Election prepared by Elections Calgary.
Elections Calgary will share answers to questions as they arise, making them publicly available on electionscalgary.ca.
1.Does The City of Calgary currently have a list of electors (voters list)?
A: No, The City of Calgary does not have a voters list.
In May, Elections Calgary received close to 500 communications from the public expressing concern about the use and protection of their personal information contained on a voters list and requesting to have their personal information removed.
As The City of Calgary does not have a list of electors, it is not necessary to contact Elections Calgary to remove one's name.
2. Is a voters list required by law?
A: The Local Authorities Elections Act (the Act) governing General Elections in Alberta does not require a voters list to be used. Very few Alberta municipalities use a voters list in their General Elections.
All previous General Elections in Calgary have been completed without a list of electors at voting stations.
3. What is required to create a voters list for the 2021 General Election?
A: As set out in the Act, Calgary City Council would be required to direct the returning officer to
prepare a list of electors who are entitled to vote in an election through a by-law
[Act, sec. 50(1))]. Where this direction is given, the returning officer has the discretion
to use the voters list in voting stations [Act, sec. 50(3)(b)]. However, where a voters list is directed
to be prepared by City Council, the returning officer shall, on the request of a candidate,
provide the candidate the day after nominations may be withdrawn (September 22, 2021) with a
copy of the list of electors for the purposes of campaigning for an election [Act, sec. 50(2), 3(a)].
The Act also requires that where a list of voters is directed, an enumeration of voters residing in
each voting subdivision or ward where an election will be held [Act, sec. 51(a)].
4. How will voters be processed in voting station?
A: For the October 18, 2021, General Election, voters will present identification, make a statement in the presence of an officer at the voting station that they are eligible to vote, have not previously voted and sign a statutory form (Form 13RSE), referred to as the voter registry (Act, sec. 53).
5. Does a voters list prevent someone from voting twice?
A: If someone appears at the voting station and their name has been previously crossed off the voters list, it does not prevent them from voting. They would be required to make a statement in the presence of an officer at the voting station that they are eligible to vote, have not previously voted and sign the voter registry (Form 13RSE).
They would also be required to validate their identity and address of residence in accordance with the Act.
6. Who is responsible for preventing voter fraud?
A: The Act envisions a trust-based system of accountability that aims to strike a balance between accessible voting while
providing reasonable safeguards to prevent fraud and enable enforcement.
Voters
Every voter has a legal obligation under the Act to vote once for each of the persons the elector choses to vote for [Act, sec. 57(1)] and meets all eligibility requirements to vote [Act, sec. 47(1)].
Returning Officer
The returning officer has no investigative or enforcement authority related to voter fraud under the Act.
The returning officer communicates voting processes and offenses related to voter fraud to voters, election workers and candidates [Act, sec. 14(1)(i)].
Candidates
Candidates may appoint one scrutineer in each voting station to observe the voting process [Act, sec. 69(1)] and who can object to voters [Act. sec. 54(1)] and ballots that require adjudication [Act, sec. 87(1)]. The returning officer shall note, in the elector
register, the reason for the objection and the name of the candidate or official agent or scrutineer making the objection.
7. What are the offences related to voter fraud?
A: It is an offence to sign a false statement for any purpose related to an election or vote [Act, sec. 148(4)] or vote twice [Act, sec. 148(2)]. The Act, sec. 148(7) provides that “a person who contravenes subsection (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5) is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of
not more than $10 000 or to imprisonment for not more than 6 months or to both fine and imprisonment.”
8. What do I do if I suspect someone has committed an election offence?
A:If you suspect someone has committed an offence, contact Calgary Police Service non-
emergency line: (403) 266-1234.
9. How prevalent is voter fraud?
A: Voter fraud is not common. Potential election fraud should be brought to the attention of the Calgary Police Service. Elections Calgary cooperates with any voter
fraud investigations conducted by the Calgary Police Services or other enforcement agencies and related court proceedings.
10. Where can feedback be provided on the legislation governing the voting process for Calgary’s General Elections?
A: Contact the Ministry of Municipal Affairs:
Phone: 780-427-2225
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: lgsmail@gov.ab.ca
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