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ACCESS TO VOTING RIGHTS FOR TRAVELLERS
C+
(2006: C+)
Alberta general elections must be held at least every fve years; the next election must be called by March 2013.
Mail-in balloting, or special ballots, are permitted in Alberta for residents who will not be in the province on voting
day. The special ballot can be requested from the time the election is called until the polls close on polling day.
Special ballot requests are accepted in person, by mail, fax, e-mail or telephone. The returning ofcer will deliver
the application by regular mail, and it is the elector’s responsibility to arrange for alternate delivery if the request is
received too late in the election period for regular mail to be used. An elector may have the application picked up
by a commercial courier, a friend or a family member. However, the special ballot cannot be sent to the elector or
returned to the returning ofcer by fax or other electronic means. The special ballot must be received by the time
the polls close on polling day or it will be counted as a rejected ballot.
Change since last report:
None.
Recommendations:
While not setting a frm deadline, clearly communicate the last day by which an application
for a special ballot should be received in order to ensure that a ballot is delivered to the voter in sufcient time to
vote and send it back. Amend legislation to permit acceptance of any mail-in ballot that has been post-marked
prior to the close of polls. Fix election dates so travellers can plan accordingly.
AVAILABILITY OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION
B+
(2006: B+)
Alberta publishes a good pamphlet on issues related to health benefts for travellers entitled Travel Health Insur-
ance Matters. The pamphlet is comprehensive and provides information for travelling within and outside of Can-
ada. The pamphlet contains various telephone numbers, including 1-800 numbers and TDD (Telecommunication
Devices for Deaf) numbers, for those who need more information. The information is also available at the Health
and Wellness website. The pamphlet can be found relatively easily on-line and is also available at Alberta Health
and Wellness ofces.
The Elections Alberta website has a fair amount of information on distance voting. The “Common Questions” sec-
tion of the website contains fairly detailed information on voting while abroad, but it is not easy to fnd. Because
the answer is addressed to those “working or studying away from home,” travellers might miss it. A section for
those who “cannot go to the polls on polling day” does not contain the information. The website also provides a
PDF copy of A Guide for the Use of the Special Ballot Poll which goes through the required steps for using the Special
Ballot. Telephone numbers to call for more information are clearly displayed on the front page of the website.
Change since last report:
None.
Recommendations:
Create an easily-accessed page on the Elections Alberta website dedicated to distance voting,
and create visible links from various places in the website, including the home page.
2006 C
Grade