Elections Alberta is reaching out to experienced electoral staff nationwide to assist with the upcoming referendum in October. According to Elections Alberta spokesperson Maia Hanrahan, it is typical for electoral management bodies (EMBs) to collaborate during election events by providing specialized expertise. The support from senior EMB staff will be crucial, particularly for tasks like the continuous 48-hour count post-voting.
The referendum, scheduled for October 19, will present Albertans with 10 questions, including significant inquiries about the province’s relationship with Canada and various immigration and constitutional matters. Elections BC and Elections Saskatchewan have confirmed receiving requests for assistance from Elections Alberta, with Elections Canada also evaluating a support inquiry from the province.
Elections Saskatchewan expressed readiness to support Alberta in organizing the referendum, citing the opportunity for their staff to gain valuable experience and skills through cross-jurisdictional collaboration. Meanwhile, Elections Alberta reported a successful recruitment campaign, having received over 30,000 applications from Albertans for electoral positions.
Former Alberta Chief Electoral Officer Lorne Gibson highlighted challenges in securing external EMB workers due to limited staffing capacity and high associated costs. Additionally, he emphasized the eligibility criteria for election officers in Alberta, which include residency, work eligibility in Canada, age requirements, background checks, and adherence to non-partisan mandates.
Gibson also raised concerns about potential distractions, such as the recent byelection announcement in Calgary-Shaw, impacting the referendum preparation process. Despite the complexities involved, Elections Alberta continues its efforts to recruit the necessary personnel for the referendum.