Loadsa "independents" on the Ballot Discussion (split from PP by-election)

[Blackadder1916]

seems a little concerning. Lots of chance for irregularities. I hope they dont have to spell PP's name right

From the horse's mouth.

Higher Than Usual Number of Candidates on Ballot in Battle River–Crowfoot By-election

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www.elections.ca

GATINEAU, Monday, July 28, 2025

• As a result of the high number of candidates in Battle River–Crowfoot (Alberta), electors voting at advance or election day polls will vote using an adapted ballot.
• The adapted ballot will feature a blank space where electors can write the name of their preferred candidate. This will replace the typical list-style ballot, on which electors mark a blank circle next to the name of the candidate of their choice.
• For their vote to be counted, electors must write the name of their candidate of choice. As long as the elector's intention is clear, their vote will be counted, even if they misspell the candidate's name.
• Along with the candidate's name, electors can also write the name of the candidate's political party. But if the elector writes only the party's name, their ballot cannot be counted—it must have the name of the elector's preferred candidate.
• The list of candidates will be available at every voting table so that electors can find the name of their candidate of choice.
• The adapted write-in ballot will feature the same security and integrity measures found on a typical ballot.
• Elections Canada is aware that the changes to the ballot may reduce its accessibility for some electors. All regular accessibility tools will still be available, but some of them, such as the braille list of candidates and adapted braille voting template, will only be available on election day (Monday, August 18). Anyone who has concerns can contact the Elections Canada office in Battle River–Crowfoot to find out what options and accessibility supports are available to them.
• Electors who need support when voting are welcome to bring a friend, family member or caregiver to assist them, including helping them to complete their ballot. Election workers, who are sworn to maintain the secrecy of the vote, are also available to help.
• Elections Canada reminds electors in Battle River–Crowfoot that they may vote by special ballot at the local Elections Canada office. They can also apply online to vote by mail, or they can apply by mail or by fax. They have until Tuesday, August 12, 6 p.m., to do so.
• Because of the large number of candidates, the results of the by-election in Battle River–Crowfoot may take longer to report and publish on elections.ca.
• Electors are encouraged to visit elections.ca to get more information about the adapted ballot. They can also contact the Elections Canada office in Battle River–Crowfoot.

Elections Canada is an independent, non-partisan agency that reports directly to Parliament.

Elections Canada Media Relations
[email protected]

 

[Eaglelord17]

It doesn't matter how you feel. It's perfectly legal under our election laws and they are taking advantage of those rules. Petition your MP for rule changes. It's all you got for options.
We've been all over this before, your answer may be there.

Just because it is legal doesn’t mean it doesn’t disrespect our democratic institutions. I am not the one arguing for rule changes, simply pointing out that complaining about a long ballot which is 100% legally done and calling it a mockery of our system well literally double jeopardying our election is a bit hypocritical.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

From the horse's mouth.

Higher Than Usual Number of Candidates on Ballot in Battle River–Crowfoot By-election

---

www.elections.ca

GATINEAU, Monday, July 28, 2025

• As a result of the high number of candidates in Battle River–Crowfoot (Alberta), electors voting at advance or election day polls will vote using an adapted ballot.
• The adapted ballot will feature a blank space where electors can write the name of their preferred candidate. This will replace the typical list-style ballot, on which electors mark a blank circle next to the name of the candidate of their choice.
• For their vote to be counted, electors must write the name of their candidate of choice. As long as the elector's intention is clear, their vote will be counted, even if they misspell the candidate's name.
• Along with the candidate's name, electors can also write the name of the candidate's political party. But if the elector writes only the party's name, their ballot cannot be counted—it must have the name of the elector's preferred candidate.
• The list of candidates will be available at every voting table so that electors can find the name of their candidate of choice.
• The adapted write-in ballot will feature the same security and integrity measures found on a typical ballot.
• Elections Canada is aware that the changes to the ballot may reduce its accessibility for some electors. All regular accessibility tools will still be available, but some of them, such as the braille list of candidates and adapted braille voting template, will only be available on election day (Monday, August 18). Anyone who has concerns can contact the Elections Canada office in Battle River–Crowfoot to find out what options and accessibility supports are available to them.
• Electors who need support when voting are welcome to bring a friend, family member or caregiver to assist them, including helping them to complete their ballot. Election workers, who are sworn to maintain the secrecy of the vote, are also available to help.
• Elections Canada reminds electors in Battle River–Crowfoot that they may vote by special ballot at the local Elections Canada office. They can also apply online to vote by mail, or they can apply by mail or by fax. They have until Tuesday, August 12, 6 p.m., to do so.
• Because of the large number of candidates, the results of the by-election in Battle River–Crowfoot may take longer to report and publish on elections.ca.
• Electors are encouraged to visit elections.ca to get more information about the adapted ballot. They can also contact the Elections Canada office in Battle River–Crowfoot.

Elections Canada is an independent, non-partisan agency that reports directly to Parliament.

Elections Canada Media Relations
[email protected]

The last time my dad was voting, his dementia was starting to take a toll on him, could not remember who he wanted to vote for. The Polling Officer was reluctant to let me help him till I said : " He has voted NDP his whole life, If I wanted to be an asshole I could tell him to vote CPC, instead I am ensuring his vote cancels out mine" That convinced the Polling Officer to allow it. Glad to see they are giving them instructions on how to deal with this situation.

 

[Blackadder1916]

The last time my dad was voting, his dementia was starting to take a toll on him, could not remember who he wanted to vote for. The Polling Officer was reluctant to let me help him till I said : " He has voted NDP his whole life, If I wanted to be an asshole I could tell him to vote CPC, instead I am ensuring his vote cancels out mine" That convinced the Polling Officer to allow it. Glad to see they are giving them instructions on how to deal with this situation.

While the number of candidates in this by-election is unusual and has required an adaptation of the ballot to fit the situation, none of the changes have resulted in any procedures that are not already covered in election workers guidelines or the training provided by Elections Canada, with the exception that most poll workers would not have had the occasion to handle "special ballots". On reflection, it should be a common procedure for anyone who has voted at a military poll.

As for your dad's experience, I probably would not have done anything different, except made sure that a "Helper Form" was completed. Even if you hadn't provided that explanation - personally, I would have stopped any mention of partisan preference - if your dad had indicated that he wanted to vote, my sworn duty was to do anything within my authority to ensure that he had the opportunity.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

What I found being both helping Elections Canada and BC, being a party observer and voter, is that each polling station gets a very good guide on what to do. If they are lucky they have a Chief Polling officer at the location that has at least 1 election under their belt, but other than that, most polling officers it is their first time and are struggling to deal with unique situations. They might have had a "helper form", but in this case none was offered and they seemed to be winging it, as was I.