Elections Alberta is seeking support from experienced electoral staff nationwide to assist in the upcoming October referendum. This collaborative effort among electoral management bodies is common during election events, as stated by Elections Alberta spokesperson Maia Hanrahan.
The specialized expertise of senior electoral staff will be crucial, particularly for tasks such as the continuous count post-voting. The referendum, scheduled for Oct. 19, will involve 10 questions for Albertans, including issues related to the province’s status within Canada and various immigration and constitutional matters.
Elections BC and Elections Saskatchewan have been approached for assistance by Elections Alberta. Elections Canada has also received a request for support and is currently evaluating potential options to aid in the recruitment process. Elections Saskatchewan expressed willingness to provide staff support, emphasizing the professional development opportunities such collaborations offer.
Elections Alberta’s recruitment campaign has been successful, with over 30,000 applications received. However, former chief electoral officer Lorne Gibson highlighted challenges in relying on external EMB workers due to limitations in staff availability and associated costs. Additionally, eligibility criteria for election officers in Alberta, including residency, age, criminal record check, and non-partisan commitment, may pose further challenges.
The upcoming byelection in Calgary-Shaw could potentially add complexity to the referendum preparations, according to Gibson, given the focus and resources required for such a significant electoral event.