Elections Alberta is an independent, non-partisan office of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta responsible for administering provincial elections, by-elections, referenda within the province. This is in accordance with the Alberta Election Act. Elections Alberta also oversees political parties and candidates in accordance with the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act.
History
The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, was created in 1977 to act as an independent body to oversee Alberta's Elections Finances and Contribution Disclosure Act and Election Act. Prior to 1977, these acts were overseen by the clerk of the Legislative Assembly.
Jurisdiction
Elections Alberta oversees the creation of political parties and riding associations, compiles election statistics on ridings, and collects financial statements from party candidates and riding associations. It maintains a list of electors, through enumeration that occurs before an election. Elections Alberta is also responsible for enacting legislation relating to elections passed in the Legislative Assembly, including electoral boundary changes and Elections finance laws.
Services
Elections Alberta is tasked with printing and distributing maps and Elections Alberta–related campaign materials and guides to candidates and party officials. It is mandated to issue an annual report, as well as reports after each election. These reports contain new and deregistered riding associations, party executives and contact information, donations to parties, changes to electors data, election cost by riding and as a whole, the names of returning officers are among the information in annual reports.
Electoral Boundaries Commission
Electoral boundary changes come from the Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission made up of five appointed members, who collect input from local residents, politicians and draw up the divisions based on enumeration and census data. A bill is then introduced and voted on in the Legislative Assembly. Minor changes may be made and introduced by members. Changes are then enacted by the chief electoral officer. An expansion from 83 to 87 ridings was recommended by the commission in June 2010 and their report with the new riding boundaries will first be in effect for the April 2012 general election. On recommendation from the Chief Electoral Officer, Glen Resler, Bill 7 was introduced on April 12, 2016, which amends the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act to authorize the appointment of a commission on or before October 31, 2016. This is so that there is sufficient time for Elections Alberta to implement the new boundaries in time for the 2019 Alberta general election.
Candidacy fees and refunds
In 1905, the nomination deposit was set at $100, a figure that was well beyond the means of ordinary citizens at the time. Despite inflation, this fee was not changed until 1992 when it was doubled to $200, thus remaining a nominal sum to many Albertans. In 2004, the government controversially increased the required deposit again, to $500, although it became easier to get half of the new deposit back. The government contended that the increase was necessary to deter frivolous candidacies, encourage timely filing of financial statements, and help pay for Elections Alberta's expenses. Some smaller parties argue that an excessively high deposit represents an unacceptable "user fee" on democracy. Prior to the 2004 general election a candidate received his or her deposit back if he or she was elected or received at least one half the votes of the elected candidate. Candidates who failed to meet these benchmarks forfeited their deposits. Starting with the 2004 election however, the refund policy described above only applies to half of the new deposit. The other half of the deposit is refunded if the candidate files the required financial statements with Elections Alberta within the prescribed time frame, regardless of how many votes he or she receives. Therefore, a failed candidate who files timely financial statements would lose $250. A change in legislation in 2010 led to the deposit being fully refundable to candidates who file their post-election financial report on time. Prospective senate nominees are required to deposit $4,000 along with nomination papers signed by 1,500 Albertans. Candidates must be at least 30 years old in accordance with the Constitution of Canada requirement that senators own $4,000 worth of property.
