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

---

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.

 

[ArmyRick]

Here we go, a long watch

 

[The Bread Guy]

They're baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack ...

Longest ballot protest group returns, targets byelection in Terrebonne

OTTAWA — The group that recruited hundreds of people to run against the Conservative leader in last spring's election and last summer's byelection says it's now targeting the hotly contested vote in Terrebonne next month. Liberal candidate Tatiana Augu...

nanaimonewsnow.com

So, if they were targeting PP in his recent by-election, are they targeting Team Red here now? Discuss ...

 

[brihard]

They're baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack ...

Longest ballot protest group returns, targets byelection in Terrebonne

OTTAWA — The group that recruited hundreds of people to run against the Conservative leader in last spring's election and last summer's byelection says it's now targeting the hotly contested vote in Terrebonne next month. Liberal candidate Tatiana Augu...

nanaimonewsnow.com

So, if they were targeting PP in his recent by-election, are they targeting Team Red here now? Discuss ...

They’re attention whores; nothing more.

 

[rmc_wannabe]

They're baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack ...

Longest ballot protest group returns, targets byelection in Terrebonne

OTTAWA — The group that recruited hundreds of people to run against the Conservative leader in last spring's election and last summer's byelection says it's now targeting the hotly contested vote in Terrebonne next month. Liberal candidate Tatiana Augu...

nanaimonewsnow.com

So, if they were targeting PP in his recent by-election, are they targeting Team Red here now? Discuss ...

Selection and maintenance of the aim

Their goal is electoral reform, manifestly:

-replacing FPTP with something else that allows for better voter representation, limiting a need for startegic voting; and

- have said oversight of election reform out of the hands of MPs; whom they argue are in a Conflict of Interest and thus unlikely to table or vote in favour of electoral reform.

I don't think they give a Cinnamon Toast Fuck about which party their antics impact most.

Until the Canada Elections Act expressly forbids this kind of protesting, I expect this to keep happening in by-elections....

 

[RangerRay]

They’re attention whores; nothing more.

Exactly. Whatever. It will inconvenience voters but it won’t affect candidates. And it won’t help their cause.

 

[Furniture]

I don't think they give a Cinnamon Toast Fuck about which party their antics impact most.

I think that's an easy opinion to express when the group clearly went all-in against the party you don't support.

When they get 90+ people against a LPC or NDP dominant candidate I will concede that they are equal opportunity disruptors. Until then, they are partisan hacks playing the system, like a malingering Cpl bouncing between new MELs every 30 days.

 

[rmc_wannabe]

I think that's an easy opinion to express when the group clearly went all-in against the party you don't support.

Let me make one thing glaringly clear in my position on this act of protest:

my mild curiosity in this has been watching the legal exploitation of the Electoral process be used to bring attention to the lack of electoral reform in Canada.

I was dazzled by the promise of an end to FPTP in 2015 by the LPC and was pissed beyond measure when it was clearly a bait and switch. It also pisses me off to no end that neither major party (CPC or LPC) have reform on it's radar, because both benefit largely from maintaining the status quo.

If the Longest Ballot Committee targeted Carney’s riding, I'd have the same mild curiosity and hope that people took notice about the issue of FPTP and electoral reform being out of the hands of those who stand to lose the most from moving away from it.

The elections in Battle River-Crowfoot and Carelton were both high profile, thus were the best targets of opportunity. They used both by-elections to bring the most heat and light to their cause, in a way that impacted all parties equally.

The fact the Long Ballots that took place in 2025 sparked an inquiry by the Procedures and House Affairs committee, including testimony from the Longest Ballot Committee founder and the Chief Electoral Officer, means they got their point across. That committee report is in draft, and that will give Parliament the ammo it needs to close the loophole.

When they get 90+ people against a LPC or NDP dominant candidate I will concede that they are equal opportunity disruptors. Until then, they are partisan hacks playing the system, like a malingering Cpl bouncing between new MELs every 30 days.

Look no further than the current by-election scheduled for Terrebone.



LPC and Bloc Quebecois are neck and neck, NDP and CPC are in a dead heat for last. The Longest Ballot Committee will be signing up candidates on Monday using the same rules that have not been amended by Parliament since the last by-election.

Lastly, my wife works for Elections Canada. It creates a fucking nightmare at the polls for everyone, especially poll staff. The problem is under the Canada Elections Act, Elections Canada and the Chief Electoral Officer does not have the authority or independence to make the changes needed to stop them.

Add in that no one in government gives a shit about anything to do with changing the electoral system, (because it doesn't matter to MPs outside of election cycles) you get this protest, that continues to operate in legal processes, that highlights it's own existence every time Canadians go to the polls.

 

[Eaglelord17]

FPTP, Proportional repersentation, etc. it really doesn’t matter which system it is. They all bring some sort of major con to it and ultimately whoever/whatever person/party is elected by whatever system doesn’t have to do anything they said they would.

Real reform involves direct democracy like the Swiss. Referendums on major topics (and/or minor topics). No changing the constitution without the popular vote.

Then it doesn’t matter who is elected or how, they turn into administrators not decision makers and follow the will of the people not how we do it which is the government has all the power for four years and you hope in four years someone else gets elected and does what they said they would (which spoiler doesn’t happen).

 

[OldSolduer]

It doesn't matter what the parties say in an election campaign. They will stick with FPTP because it benefits them.

 

[RangerRay]

I think that's an easy opinion to express when the group clearly went all-in against the party you don't support.

When they get 90+ people against a LPC or NDP dominant candidate I will concede that they are equal opportunity disruptors. Until then, they are partisan hacks playing the system, like a malingering Cpl bouncing between new MELs every 30 days.

I can say from experience this is not true. A couple of years ago was a by-election in my riding. It was basically a coronation for the retiring Liberal MP’s son. The Tories had no chance in hell of winning. These Longest Ballot jokers ended up creating what at that time was the longest ballot in Canadian history. The Liberal nepo-baby still won in a landslide.

Like I said, these jokers create an inconvenience to voters and election workers, not candidates of any party. And in this case, they targeted a Liberal riding.

 

[rmc_wannabe]

It doesn't matter what the parties say in an election campaign. They will stick with FPTP because it benefits them.

Which is one of the major reasons they are conducting this protest.

They want that reform decision to be put in the hands of an independent body (probably Elections Canada) that wouldn't have anything to lose or gain from the transition away from FPTP.

 

[Eaglelord17]

Which is one of the major reasons they are conducting this protest.

They want that reform decision to be put in the hands of an independent body (probably Elections Canada) that wouldn't have anything to lose or gain from the transition away from FPTP.

40% like FPTP
60% can’t make up their minds on a alternative system (20% want this, 30% want that, 5% want nothing, etc.)

Democratically FPTP wins in this country. Bare minimum it should be decided by referendum, let the voters actively choose which system they want.

 

[rmc_wannabe]

40% like FPTP
60% can’t make up their minds on a alternative system (20% want this, 30% want that, 5% want nothing, etc.)

Democratically FPTP wins in this country. Bare minimum it should be decided by referendum, let the voters actively choose which system they want.

I agree with the referendum for sure.

The main issue is getting an elected government to agree to put it on the ballot. It seems to have historically been an "Asimov's Third Law of Robotics" situation, in which the machine cannot be ordered to destroy itself.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

I look at the Israeli system where fringe parties can hold the government in blackmail to unpopular policies in order to maintain a coalition government. That is one my main concerns with proportional representation. right now for me the priority is to gut the power of the PMO and make the PM more accountable to their MP's.

 

[brihard]

I look at the Israeli system where fringe parties can hold the government in blackmail to unpopular policies in order to maintain a coalition government. That is one my main concerns with proportional representation. right now for me the priority is to gut the power of the PMO and make the PM more accountable to their MP's.

Yeah but that’s easy - 5% popular vote threshold or an outright first place finish in a riding to get a seat or seats. Israel’s not the only example of PR out there, it’s just a great example of how not to do it.