Elections Alberta has reached out to experienced electoral staff nationwide for assistance in facilitating the upcoming October referendum. Maia Hanrahan, the spokesperson for Elections Alberta, mentioned that it is a common practice for electoral management bodies to collaborate during election events. Hanrahan emphasized the need for senior and specialized staff to support the Elections Alberta team, especially for tasks like the continuous 48-hour count post-voting.
Scheduled for October 19, the 2026 referendum in Alberta will include 10 questions addressing various topics such as the province’s status within Canada and immigration and constitutional matters. Elections BC and Elections Saskatchewan have confirmed receiving requests from Elections Alberta for support. Elections Canada is also evaluating a similar request but has not made any commitments yet.
Elections Saskatchewan expressed its willingness to assist Elections Alberta, citing professional development opportunities for its staff. The recruitment campaign by Elections Alberta has been successful, with over 30,000 applications received. However, Lorne Gibson, a former chief electoral officer in Alberta, noted challenges in obtaining external assistance due to limited resources and logistical constraints.
Gibson highlighted the eligibility criteria for election officers in Alberta, which includes residency in the province, Canadian work eligibility, age requirements, criminal record checks, and commitment to non-partisanship. Additionally, Gibson mentioned the potential complications arising from a byelection called for the Calgary-Shaw riding, potentially diverting attention from the referendum preparations.