Calgary’s municipal elections on Monday faced significant delays and long lines due to recent provincial legislative changes, as highlighted by political scientists and the city’s returning officer. One key alteration requires municipalities to establish and uphold permanent electors registers containing eligible voters’ details. In preparation for the election, Calgary citizens had until August 27 to pre-register, with additional voter information sourced from Elections Alberta.
Voters not listed had to complete forms at polling stations, providing personal information such as name, address, birthdate, and a signature. This process contributed to extended wait times, with some locations experiencing queues lasting up to three hours. Calgary’s returning officer, Kate Martin, acknowledged the impact of the new regulations during a news conference, explaining the need for workers to verify registrations against the permanent electoral register or issue Form 13 for unregistered individuals.
Any changes to a voter’s name or address required updating, further extending processing times. The collected forms will aid in compiling Calgary’s permanent electors list, which will eventually be shared with the province. Prior to these changes, municipalities could craft their voter lists based on in-person turnout, but the province seeks a consistent approach across Alberta to enhance voter eligibility confirmation and reduce fraud.
While the province aims to bolster voter trust through these adjustments, concerns persist regarding the necessity of such measures. Notably, electors registers will not be disclosed to candidates, and voters retain the option to remove their names from the list. Despite complaints about delays, Alberta’s minister of municipal affairs defended the changes, emphasizing that municipal election management remains the responsibility of local authorities. Feedback from municipalities will guide potential legislative revisions, with Calgary’s returning officer poised to share insights from the recent election with the province.
The modifications aim to enhance the integrity of the electoral process and establish a standardized framework for voter registration and verification across the province.