October 21,2025
RED FM News Desk
Alberta’s government has released more details about upcoming legislation designed to prevent lengthy ballot protests during provincial elections.
The bill, to be introduced soon by Justice Minister Mickey Amery, comes in response to controversy over long ballot initiatives seen in federal elections.
Amery’s spokesperson, Heather Jenkins, said the new rules would require more nomination signatures, ban individuals from signing more than one nomination paper, and prohibit efforts to persuade others to do so.
Jenkins emphasized that the legislation aims to protect election integrity and “does not limit who can run in provincial elections, as long as candidates meet the signature requirements.”
The move follows a federal byelection in Alberta last August, where Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre reclaimed his seat in a race that included 213 other candidates—most affiliated with the protest group “Longest Ballot Committee,” which was advocating for electoral reform.
Jenkins noted that the initiative drew criticism nationwide, including from former Elections Canada chief Jean-Pierre Kingsley, who called it an abuse of the system.
Government House Leader Joseph Schow said the proposed changes would ensure that only those “serious about representing their communities” appear on the ballot.
The province’s fall legislative session begins Thursday with a speech from the throne.
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