Elections Alberta

Q: Does Elections Alberta decide whether Citizen Initiatives (CI) become referendum questions? A: No. The type of CI petition and what happens if it is successful is determined by the Citizen Initiative Act, and not the person submitting it. Learn more: https://ow.ly/4FOB50Z7OPi

Q: Will there be a mail-in ballot (special ballot) option in the upcoming provincial referendum? A: Yes. Online requests for special ballots open July 20 and in-person requests open September 1. No reason is required to apply, and electors can avoid Election Day line ups.

Q: Was fraud found or lower standards used to verify the Forever Canada petition than others? A: No. Elections Alberta’s verification process is robust and standardized, applied to all petitions unless there are indications of fraud found. Any suggestions to the contrary are disinformation.

Q: Has Elections Alberta ever NOT used paper ballots? A: No, paper ballots have always been used for voting, even with tabulators. Every election in Alberta's history has used paper ballots and been retained and available in case of a recount.

Q: Does Elections Alberta set the electoral boundaries? A: No. Typically, the Electoral Boundaries Commission recommends boundaries which are approved by the Legislature. Elections Alberta implements the final approved electoral boundaries.

Q: Does Elections Alberta write or change the rules (legislation) for recall and initiative petitions? A: No, we do not and cannot. We administer and follow petition legislation set by the Alberta government. Petition questions? Visit https://ow.ly/myJ750YpbVc

Q: Can petition canvassers represent themselves as Elections Alberta officials or representatives? A: No. Petition canvassers represent their petition campaign only and the proponent is responsible for them and their actions.

Do businesses and other organizations have to provide access for petition canvassers to their facilities? No. The recall and initiative Acts does not grant canvassers any special access rights. Access may be granted at the discretion of the landlord, business, or organization.

Q: Do petition canvassers have to sign non-disclosure agreements? A: No, this is not an Election Alberta or legislative requirement. Canvassers must sign and comply with the Canvasser Code of Conduct. Learn more at elections.ab.ca/recall-initiative/

Q: Can petitions campaigns share the number of signatures they have collected? A: Yes, there is nothing preventing them from disclosing this publicly if they choose. These are not, however, official numbers which will be announced after Elections Alberta has received and counted the signatures.

Q: Can expats sign a petition? Can snowbirds? A: Expats cannot. For snowbirds, it depends. Only individuals who are currently ordinary residents in Alberta may sign the petition. See https://ow.ly/ifhp50YhKSO for more information on ordinary residence.

Q: What are Alberta residency requirements for initiative petitions and voting? A: To sign an initiative petition or vote, you must be ordinarily resident in Alberta (may only have one residence). This is where they live and sleep, and intend to return to when away.

Q: Are opinion polls election interference? A: No. Amendments to the Election Act which came into force July 4, 2025, removed all references to conducting and transmitting results of election surveys. Conducting or transmitting election surveys at any time does not violate the Election Act.

Q: Where do canvassers get petition signature sheets? A: Signature sheets come from the petition organizer (proponent), not Elections Alberta. Visit elections.ab.ca/recall-initiative for more non-bot answers.

Q: Are Elections Alberta officials involved in petition canvassing events? A: No. Petition proponents are entirely responsible for conducting and staffing any canvassing activity. Our staff is not present and may not engage in any activity supporting or opposing a petition.

Q: Can event space or money be donated to a petition organizer? A: Yes, they can accept contributions as long as they comply with legislation. Get the complete facts about the contribution rules: Recall https://ow.ly/Zjhc50Y43SS Initiative https://ow.ly/gbKq50Y40ZN

Do businesses and other organizations have to provide access for petition canvassers to their facilities? No. The Citizen Initiative Act does not grant canvassers any special access rights. Access may be granted at the discretion of the landlord, business, or organization.

Q: What's the petition signature verification process? A: We follow the process as prescribed in the Citizen Initiative Act or Recall Act, including validating every signature. Get the facts about the process here: Recall https://ow.ly/7U8O50Y0PLA Initiative https://ow.ly/Csr950Y0PLB

Q: How long does it take to get my canvasser badge after I sign up with the petition organizer? A: You submit your application to the organizer, then they're responsible for submitting it to us. Once received, ADD 2-3 days for us to process then ADD 1-3 days for ExpressPost.

Petition Q: Who sees names on petition sheets? A: Only the petitioner organizers and Elections Alberta. Have other petition questions? Find official answers at elections.ab.ca/recall-initiative

Q: What ID do I need when signing a citizen initiative petition? A: 1 piece government photo ID or 2 pieces of authorized ID. Must show residential address. (Note: applies to petitions issued after December 11). Have other petition questions? Find non-AI answers at https://ow.ly/gtmO50XUfTB

Petition Q: How long does it take us to process canvasser applications? A: 2-3 days, ID is sent out ExpressPost. Have other petition questions? Find real answers at https://ow.ly/qIgy50XUfyx

Petition Questions? What ID is required? How long does it take to process canvasser applications? Who sees petition sheets? Visit our website for those answers and more: https://ow.ly/SM9Q50XUaIU