Elections Alberta is reaching out to experienced electoral staff from various regions to assist with the upcoming October referendum, stating the need for diverse support roles. According to Elections Alberta spokesperson Maia Hanrahan, it is a common practice for electoral management bodies (EMBs) to collaborate during election events by inviting senior and specialized staff to enhance resources. The support, particularly crucial post-voting, aims to facilitate tasks such as the 48-hour continuous count after a long day of voting, necessitating additional expertise from EMBs to complement the permanent Elections Alberta team.
Scheduled for October 19, the 2026 referendum will pose 10 questions to Albertans, covering topics ranging from the province’s relationship with Canada to immigration and constitutional matters. Elections BC and Elections Saskatchewan have confirmed receiving assistance requests from Elections Alberta. Elections BC is currently evaluating the request against its fall operational requirements, while Elections Saskatchewan has offered staff support as a means of professional development for its team. The Chief Electoral Officer at Elections Saskatchewan, Michael Boda, emphasized the benefits of participating in electoral events in other jurisdictions to enhance skills and gather insights for future elections.
Elections Alberta reported a successful recruitment campaign with over 30,000 applications received from Albertans, inching closer to their target of 60,000 electoral workers. However, former Alberta Chief Electoral Officer Lorne Gibson highlighted potential challenges in seeking assistance from EMB workers outside the province, citing limitations in personnel availability and the associated costs. Gibson also noted the requirement for election workers to be voters in the respective jurisdiction, outlining specific criteria for individuals involved in election-related activities. The announcement of a byelection in the Calgary-Shaw riding by Premier Danielle Smith could potentially add complexity to the referendum preparations, given the additional administrative workload it may entail.