Elections Alberta
Encyclopedia
Elections Alberta is the non-partisan organization which oversees general election
s and by-election
s for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
. Elections Alberta also oversees Senatorial elections and plebiscites
.
s were appointed to oversee each election. Elections Alberta oversees the creation of riding association
s, compiles election statistics on ridings, collects financial statements from party
candidates and riding associations, and the creation of new political parties. It maintains a list of electors, through enumeration that occurs from six months 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.
After an election, the voters list of who voted is allowed to be viewed at the elections Alberta office or purchased for 30 days after election day for a nominal charge. When a candidate riding association or party files a financial statement in Alberta
he or she must keep records and receipts for at least three years, as they can be subject to audit in that period. Financial statements are also archived at public libraries in Alberta.
, 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 receives 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 ($250). 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 will lose $250.
A nomination deposit for a senatorial candidate costs $4000. The reason for this relatively hefty sum is that the Constitution of Canada
requires senators to own $4000 worth of property. The practice of electing senators has been criticized as frivolous because under the Constitution senators are appointed by the Prime Minister of Canada, and only two people elected as a senator, Stan Waters and Bert Brown
, have ever been appointed to the Senate of Canada.
Elections Alberta reported $6,844,686 in expenses for the 2004 general election.
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
s and by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
s for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is one of two components of the Legislature of Alberta, the other being the Queen, represented by the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. The Alberta legislature meets in the Alberta Legislature Building in the provincial capital, Edmonton...
. Elections Alberta also oversees Senatorial elections and plebiscites
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
.
History
Elections Alberta was created in 1977 to act as an independent body to oversee Alberta's elections. Prior to 1977 returning officerReturning Officer
In various parliamentary systems, a returning officer is responsible for overseeing elections in one or more constituencies.-Australia:In Australia a returning officer is an employee of the Australian Electoral Commission or a State Electoral Commission who heads the local divisional office...
s were appointed to oversee each election. Elections Alberta oversees the creation of riding association
Riding association
In Canadian politics a riding association , officially called an electoral district association is the basic unit of a political party, that is it is the party's organization at the level of the electoral district, or "riding"...
s, compiles election statistics on ridings, collects financial statements from party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
candidates and riding associations, and the creation of new political parties. It maintains a list of electors, through enumeration that occurs from six months 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.
After an election, the voters list of who voted is allowed to be viewed at the elections Alberta office or purchased for 30 days after election day for a nominal charge. When a candidate riding association or party files a financial statement in Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
he or she must keep records and receipts for at least three years, as they can be subject to audit in that period. Financial statements are also archived at public libraries in Alberta.
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 every year, as well as reports after each election. These reports contain new and deregistered riding associations, contributions given to parties, changes to electors data. Party executives and contact information. Cost of elections in each riding, names of returning officers and anything else relevant to the election.Electoral boundaries commission
Electoral boundary changes come from an Independent Boundaries Commission made up of five appointed members, who go and 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.Fees and expenses
In 1905, the nomination deposit was set at $100, a figure that was well beyond the means of ordinary citizens at the time. Despite inflationInflation
In economics, inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services. Consequently, inflation also reflects an erosion in the purchasing power of money – a...
, 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
Deposit account
A deposit account is a current account, savings account, or other type of bank account, at a banking institution that allows money to be deposited and withdrawn by the account holder. These transactions are recorded on the bank's books, and the resulting balance is recorded as a liability for the...
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
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
.
Prior to the 2004 general election
Alberta general election, 2004
The Alberta general election of 2004 was the twenty-sixth general election for the province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on November 22, 2004 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
a candidate received his or her deposit back if he or she was elected or receives 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 ($250). 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 will lose $250.
A nomination deposit for a senatorial candidate costs $4000. The reason for this relatively hefty sum is that the Constitution of Canada
Constitution of Canada
The Constitution of Canada is the supreme law in Canada; the country's constitution is an amalgamation of codified acts and uncodified traditions and conventions. It outlines Canada's system of government, as well as the civil rights of all Canadian citizens and those in Canada...
requires senators to own $4000 worth of property. The practice of electing senators has been criticized as frivolous because under the Constitution senators are appointed by the Prime Minister of Canada, and only two people elected as a senator, Stan Waters and Bert Brown
Bert Brown
For the English footballer Bert Brown, see Sailor BrownBert Brown is a Canadian Senator and retired farmer and development consultant currently residing in Balzac, Alberta.-Early life:...
, have ever been appointed to the Senate of Canada.
Elections Alberta reported $6,844,686 in expenses for the 2004 general election.
List of Chief Electoral officers
- O. Brian Fjeldheim (current)
- Lorne R. Gibson (June 2006 - March 2009)
- O. Brian Fjeldheim (October 1998 - November 2005)
- Dermot F. Whelan (September 1994 - March 1998)
- Patrick D. Ledgerwood (August 1985 - June 1994)
- Kenneth A. Wark (September 1977 - August 1985)
See also
- List of Alberta general elections
- List of Alberta plebiscites
- List of Alberta senatorial elections
- Alberta general election, 2004Alberta general election, 2004The Alberta general election of 2004 was the twenty-sixth general election for the province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on November 22, 2004 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
- Alberta provincial electoral districtsAlberta provincial electoral districtsAlberta provincial electoral districts are currently single member ridings that each elect one member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. There are 83 current districts fixed in law in Alberta.-History:...