Should Alberta Change How Local Elections Work?

Official title: Local Authorities Election Act engagement (2018)

Closed Legislation Housing & Communities Justice & Rights
Alberta asked residents how to improve elections for municipalities, school boards, Metis Settlements, and irrigation districts. Over 1,500 people responded before the survey closed in August 2018. The feedback shaped Bill 23, which proposed changes to campaign finance rules, third-party advertising, and voting procedures.

Why This Matters

Vote in local elections? This shaped the rules for how your mayor, councillors, and school trustees get elected. The changes affected campaign donations, advance voting options, and who can advertise during elections. Strong public support led to banning corporate and union donations.

What Could Change

Bill 23 proposed mandatory advance voting for all local elections. Campaign finance rules would apply to school board races for the first time. Corporate and union donations would be banned, and contribution limits lowered. Third-party advertisers would face new disclosure rules.

Key Issues

  • Should corporate and union donations to local campaigns be banned?
  • Should advance voting be mandatory for all local elections?
  • Should campaign finance rules apply to school board elections?
  • What rules should govern third-party election advertising?
  • Should contribution limits be lowered?

What Happened

More than 1,500 people responded to the survey. Results showed strong support: 95% backed mandatory advance voting, 95% supported applying campaign finance rules to school board elections, 94% wanted rules for third-party advertisers, 92% supported fundraising donation disclosure, 90% supported banning corporate and union donations, 85% supported lowering contribution limits, and 68% supported expanding vouching. The feedback was used to develop Bill 23: An Act to Renew Local Democracy, introduced November 5, 2018.

View 'What We Heard' Report

Key Documents