Today, Red Deer City Council passed the second and third readings of Bylaw 3713/2024, the updated Election Bylaw. The amendments address recent legislative changes under Bill 20 and ensure clarity, consistency, and operational efficiency in the conduct of municipal elections.
Key amendments to the bylaw include:
- Nomination Changes:
- Increased number of nomination signatures (50 per councillor candidate and 100 per Mayoral candidate).
- A $100 nomination deposit per candidate for mayor or councillor.
- Voting Hours:
- Voting hours on election day will remain from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., maintaining consistency with past elections and balancing accessibility for voters with the demands on election workers.
- Voter Registry and Voucher:
- The addition of a Permanent Electors Registry.
- Only electors listed on the Permanent Voter Registry may vouch for another voter, confirming their residence but not their identity or age.
- Special Ballots:
- Removal of fax as a method for requesting special ballots.
- Special ballots are now available to any elector unable to vote at advance polls or on election day, broadening accessibility.
- Hand-Counting Ballots:
- Legislative changes under Bill 20 now require the hand-counting of ballots, replacing electronic tabulators. This adjustment will delay election results and increase staffing demands significantly.
“These updates to our Election Bylaw ensure Red Deer’s election process remains clear, consistent, and in alignment with legislative requirements in advance of the 2025 general municipal election,” said Jessica Robinson, Returning Officer.
City Council has approved additional funding to address the increased costs associated with provincial legislative changes and continues to advocate for provincial support to offset financial impacts. Changes required by Bill 20, including the ban of electronic tabulators, will cost The City an additional $940,000 to conduct the next municipal election. The increase is largely due to the increased number of election workers needed to count ballots by hand. The City estimates the October 2025 election to cost $1.5 million.
As Red Deer prepares for the 2025 municipal election, The City’s election team is committed to implementing best practices, ensuring voter accessibility, and maintaining the integrity of the process.
For more information about the updated Election Bylaw or the upcoming municipal election, visit elections.reddeer.ca