Elections Alberta is reaching out to experienced electoral staff from various regions to assist in the upcoming October referendum. Maia Hanrahan, a spokesperson for Elections Alberta, mentioned that it is common for electoral management bodies to collaborate during election events and that specialized expertise is crucial for the success of the referendum.
The referendum, scheduled for October 19, will include 10 questions for Albertans to address various issues, such as the province’s relationship with Canada and other topics related to immigration and constitutional matters.
After the voting period, additional support from electoral management bodies will be required to facilitate the 48-hour continuous count. Elections BC and Elections Saskatchewan have already received requests for assistance from Elections Alberta, demonstrating a collaborative effort among electoral bodies.
Elections Canada is also considering supporting Elections Alberta’s recruitment efforts for the referendum. While the recruitment campaign is progressing well, with over 30,000 applications received, challenges remain in finding eligible workers due to specific requirements and the concurrent byelection in Calgary-Shaw.
Former chief electoral officer in Alberta, Lorne Gibson, highlighted the limitations in bringing in external electoral staff due to logistical and cost constraints. Despite these challenges, the electoral team is dedicated to ensuring a smooth and successful referendum process for Albertans.