Elections Alberta is seeking assistance from experienced electoral staff nationwide to support various roles during the upcoming October referendum. Maia Hanrahan, spokesperson for Elections Alberta, mentioned that it is common for electoral management bodies to collaborate during election events. The specialized expertise of senior electoral staff will be crucial in supporting the core Elections Alberta team, particularly during the 48-hour continuous count post-voting.
Scheduled for October 19, the 2026 referendum in Alberta will involve 10 questions, including the decision on the province’s status within Canada or the initiation of a second binding referendum on leaving the country. Other questions will address immigration and constitutional matters.
Elections BC and Elections Saskatchewan have both received requests for assistance from Elections Alberta. Elections Canada is also considering providing support but has yet to make any commitments. The involvement of external electoral staff is seen as a valuable professional development opportunity and a means to enhance skills for future elections.
Elections Alberta’s recruitment campaign has been successful, with over 30,000 applications received from Albertans. However, limitations exist in utilizing staff from other jurisdictions due to logistical challenges and costs involved. Lorne Gibson, a former chief electoral officer in Alberta, highlighted the constraints in deploying external workers and the eligibility criteria for election officers in the province.
The upcoming byelection in Calgary-Shaw called by Premier Danielle Smith may present additional challenges as preparations for the referendum with multiple questions are underway.
