Chief Electoral Office

The Office opened in 1977 with a staff of 11.  The Office mandate has remained the same, although the environment has become more complex.  That mandate is currently met by eight full-time staff.

A significant dedication of time is required to develop the framework for effectively training and equipping the 16,000-plus Albertans who are employed during an enumeration and election.

Election Act and Senatorial Selection Act:

• Conduct provincial electoral events in Alberta, including all elections, enumerations, by-elections and plebiscites.

• Develop appropriate resources and processes based on existing technology to support the conduct of these events.

• Develop partnerships with other agencies, including other electoral offices, to effectively meet legislated responsibilities.

Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act:

• Ensure filing, examination and public disclosure of financial documents submitted by political parties, constituency associations and candidates.

• Enforce legislation relating to the collection of contributions by political parties, constituency associations and candidates.

• Maintain a Register of political parties, constituency associations and candidates.

• Assist groups forming new political parties.

• Review possible offences under the legislation to provide consent to proceed with prosecution, if appropriate.

Electoral Divisions Act:

• Ensure that all electoral division maps and other resources accurately reflect the electoral divisions prescribed by legislation.

Electoral Boundaries Commission Act:

• Provide advice, information and assistance to the Electoral Boundaries Commission.

The Chief Electoral Office writes several reports for the Legislative Assembly and the general public.

Election Act and Senatorial Selection Act:

After each of the following events, a break-down of results and a summary of costs are provided to the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices, for tabling in the Legislative Assembly: enumeration, general election, election under the Senatorial Selection Act, by-election and plebiscite.

Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act:

• At the end of each year, a report on the Chief Electoral Officer's activities under this Act is provided to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, for tabling in the Legislative Assembly.

• Following each election or by-election, a listing of chief financial officers who have not filed appropriate financial statements on behalf of candidates is provided to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, for tabling in the Legislative Assembly.