Citizen Initiative FAQs

Application Process

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• How do I apply for an initiative petition?

  A notice of intent is the first step in the citizen initiative process. It is completed along with the chief financial officer appointment, and submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer by an eligible elector who wishes to apply to have a citizen initiative petition issued.

  If the proponent is eligible to file and apply, and the notice of intent contains the required information, the Chief Electoral Officer will provide written notice and publish the copy of the filed notice of intent on this website. This will include a 30-day period during which the proponent’s application for a citizen initiative petition must be received.

  Applications by eligible electors for a citizen initiative petition are submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer. Applicants must provide:

  • A completed Application for Citizen Initiative Petition,
  • Authorized ID proving the elector’s identity and address in Alberta, and
  • The $25,000 application fee*, paid by cash, a certified cheque and/or a bank or postal money order made payable to “Government of Alberta”.

  *Prior to Order in Council amending the Citizen Initiative Regulation on December 17, 2025, the application fee was previously $500. The application fee for applications in progress and ended by Bill 14 on December 11, 2025, remains waived if the elector files their notice of intent before January 11, 2026.

• Can I submit my notice of intent and application form electronically?

  The notice of intent and related documents, application form, Appointment of Chief Financial Officer form, and copies of your identification can be submitted electronically to ops@elections.ab.ca. Electronic signatures on all forms must include a date and time stamp. Application fee payment may be completed in person at the Elections Alberta head office in Edmonton or by mail. All components of the notice of intent and the application must be received prior to them being considered for approval.

• Can a group or an organization begin an initiative petition?

  No. Only an elector can file a notice of intent and apply to have a petition issued.

• Can the Chief Electoral Officer reject a notice of intent or an application for a citizen initiative petition?

  If the notice of intent is complete and contains all of the requirements above, as listed in the legislation, it may be filed. It cannot be filed if it is incomplete. There is no provision in the legislation for the Chief Electoral Officer to make a decision on a notice of intent.

  If the petition application is complete and contains all of the requirements above, as listed in the legislation, and the proponent meets the requirements, the Chief Electoral Officer must approve the application. If the application is not complete, the CEO must reject it and notify the proponent in writing with the reasons the application was rejected.

• Is the $25,000 application fee refundable?

  Yes, the $25,000 application fee may be returned to the proponent if the threshold requirements are met and the required financial disclosure reports are filed within the required timeline.

  **Prior to Order in Council amending the Citizen Initiative Regulation on December 17, 2025, the application fee was previously $500. The application fee for applications in progress and ended by Bill 14 on December 11, 2025, remains waived if the elector files their notice of intent before January 11, 2026.

• Can there be multiple initiatives at one time?

  Yes. Each citizen initiative petition is treated independently. There are no restrictions on similarity of subject matter, proposal, or questions. That means there can be multiple initiatives with similar topics running simultaneously or sequentially.

• Can a proponent be changed during the citizen initiative period?

  If the proponent dies, resigns, or in the opinion of the Chief Electoral Officer becomes ineligible or incapacitated, the chief financial officer must provide the required information for a replacement proponent within 14 days or the initiative will be considered withdrawn, rejected, or unsuccessful. If the chief financial officer takes over the role of proponent, they must complete the Appointment of Chief Financial Officer form for the replacement chief financial officer.

• Will the proponent have access to the List of Electors?

  No. The Citizen Initiative Act does not allow proponents to have access to the List of Electors.

  Proponents are not required to validate petition signatories against the List of Electors.

Canvassing

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• When can canvassing begin?

  Canvassing cannot begin before the initiative petition has been issued to the proponent by the Chief Electoral Officer. Any signatures collected before this time are not valid and will not be counted.

• Who can collect signatures on a citizen initiative petition?

  The proponent may be helped by volunteers to collect signatures. These volunteers are called “canvassers” and must register as canvassers with Elections Alberta. Proponents may not pay or otherwise compensate anyone to collect signatures on a citizen initiative petition.

  Elections Alberta issues identification documents (ID) to registered canvassers, who must carry this ID with them when canvassing. The proponent must approve all canvasser applications before they are submitted to Elections Alberta. Signatures collected by anyone who is not a registered canvasser will be disqualified and not be counted during the petition verification process.

• How do I become a canvasser?

  The proponent must submit an Application to Canvass for an Initiative Petition to Elections Alberta to register each canvasser for the petition. The proponent will be notified by Elections Alberta once the approved canvassers have been registered. ID will be sent directly to registered canvassers from Elections Alberta.

• Who can register as a canvasser?

  Canvassers must be eligible electors. They must be:

  • • a Canadian citizen,
    • at least 18 years old, and
    • ordinarily resident in Alberta.
• I submitted my application to be a canvasser. When will I get my badge and petition sheets?

  The proponent is responsible for submitting completed applications to Elections Alberta. Once they do, Elections Alberta will verify the information, register canvassers whose applications are complete and approved, and send out identification documents, normally within 2-3 days of receiving applications.

  Incomplete applications (for example, missing or incorrect address information or contact information) or applications from individuals who are not eligible electors cannot be processed and will be returned to the proponent. Please contact the proponent for more information if you require information about the timing of your application submission to Elections Alberta.

  Elections Alberta does not provide canvassers with petition sheets. Please contact the proponent to obtain those.

• I didn’t get petition sheets with my canvasser identification. When will I receive them?

  Proponents are responsible for providing canvassers with signature sheets. Elections Alberta does not provide these documents to canvassers. Please contact the proponent to obtain signature sheets.

• Can candidates for municipal councils collect signatures while campaigning?

  The Citizen Initiative Act does not prevent a canvasser from discussing their other activities (like running for municipal office) while collecting signatures. However, individuals may not accept any inducement or monetary benefit for canvassing on behalf of a proponent, so if an individual was going door-to-door while getting paid for another activity, they would not be able to canvass for the initiative petition at the same time. Canvassers must also follow the Canvasser Code of Conduct at all times.

  Municipal laws or bylaws may prevent this type of activity, but that would not be within Elections Alberta’s jurisdiction. Please contact your local municipality for more information on applicable statutes.

• Can canvassers collect signatures at a municipal election voting place?

  The Local Authorities Election Act sets out the rules on who can be present during voting hours in a voting station. Only the Returning Officer, election workers, candidates, official agents, or scrutineers are authorized to be in attendance. No other person is permitted to be in the voting station.

  Campaigning in a voting station or within the boundary lines of a voting place property is prohibited. Please contact your local municipality for more information on applicable statutes.

• Where can I find the rules around canvassing?

  All canvassers must comply with the Canvasser’s Code of Conduct and any guidelines for canvassing issued by the Chief Electoral Officer. Please see the for the specific rules around canvassing, including the requirement to see electors’ approved ID before they sign the petition.

• If I am the proponent, do I need to register as a canvasser?

  Yes. The proponent must also complete and submit a canvasser application form and be registered to collect signatures.

• How can I prove I am a registered canvasser?

  Elections Alberta will issue ID to all registered canvassers, and they must carry it with them and produce it upon request.

• Can canvassers collect signatures on municipal property?

  The Citizen Initiative Act does not grant petition canvassers any special access rights for canvassing, and canvassers must abide by municipal laws and bylaws. We recommend directing any questions and concerns you have regarding municipal property to the local municipality.

• Can I demand access to apartment buildings to collect signatures?

  No. Unlike candidates in elections who have legislated access for campaigning purposes, canvassers are not guaranteed access to rental properties. Access may be granted at the discretion of the landlord.

• Can I demand access to malls and recreation centres, etc., to collect signatures?

  No. There are no provisions under the Citizen Initiative Act to require landlords, businesses, or recreation centres to provide access to canvassers. Therefore, permission must be obtained from the property manager or business owner.

• If I am a business owner, can I canvass at my work place?

  Yes, as long as you are a registered canvasser.

• If I am an employer, can I pay my employees to canvass my customers?

  No. Paying an employee to canvass while performing their regular job would be considered an inducement. Compensation in the form of extra vacation or leave is also considered an inducement. By law, canvassers must be volunteers.

• If I am an employee, can I canvass at my work place while doing my regular job?

  No. By law, canvassers must be volunteers. Canvassing while performing a regular job or duties would be considered as being paid for canvassing or collecting an inducement for canvassing.

• Can I leave petition sheets on a counter or table for customers to sign?

  No. Petition sheets must not be left unattended by a canvasser. The canvasser must personally see all electors’ authorized identification and witness all voters signing their petition sheets*.

  *For petitions issued before December 11, 2025, canvassers are not required to see electors’ ID before they sign the petition.

• Can canvassers canvass for more than one citizen initiative petition?

  Yes. A separate canvasser application must be completed for each initiative petition.

• I am a registered canvasser and leaving for vacation. Before I go, who do I submit my signature sheets to?

  All completed signature sheets must be submitted to the proponent. Elections Alberta will only accept completed signature sheets from the proponent directly. Canvassers cannot send their signature sheets to Elections Alberta.

• What happens if a canvasser no longer wishes to collect signatures?

  The canvasser should immediately submit all petition sheets to the proponent along with their canvasser ID badge.

• Does a registered canvasser check every signee’s photo identification?

  Yes. As of December 11, 2025, the Act requires every elector signing a citizen initiative petition to show their authorized ID to the canvasser before they sign the petition*.

  *For petitions issued before December 11, 2025, electors are not required to show.

• Can canvassers be paid?

  No. By law, canvassers must be volunteers. Any compensation is not permitted by law.

• Can I provide my canvassers with lunch, coffee, goods, or services?

  No. By law, canvassers must be volunteers. Providing them with lunch, coffee, or any other benefit could be considered an inducement and is not permitted by law.

• Are canvassers representative of Elections Alberta?

  No, canvassers do not work for Elections Alberta and should not represent themselves as such. They represent the proponent.

Signing a Petition

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• Who is eligible to sign a citizen initiative petition?

  To be eligible to sign a petition, an individual must be an eligible elector. They must be:

  • a Canadian citizen,
  • at least 18 years old, and
  • ordinarily resident in Alberta.

  Every elector signing a citizen initiative petition must show their authorized ID to the canvasser before they sign the petition. Authorized ID is one piece of government-issued photo ID, their name, and current residential address, or two pieces of with their name, one of which of which has their current residential address*.

  *For petitions issued before December 11, 2025, electors are not required to show ID.
• Can unhoused electors sign the petition?

  Yes. Unhoused individuals who are eligible to sign a citizen initiative petition may use a shelter address when signing the petition. Please note: electors who sign the petition must also provide a phone number or email address, as the individual may be contacted to verify their information and they did sign the petition.

• When and where can I sign the petition?

  Citizen initiative petitions can only be signed after the petition has been issued by Elections Alberta. For information about where to sign, contact the proponent of the petition.

• How do I know a canvasser is legitimate?

  Each canvasser must carry and show canvasser ID  pr provided by Elections Alberta to electors if  asked.

• Can I sign on the Internet?

  No. There are no official citizen initiative petitions online. Citizen initiative petitions must be signed by electors, in ink, on official paper petition sheets issued to the proponent by Elections Alberta. Signatures collected in any other way are not valid and will not be accepted.

• If I am a canvasser, can I sign and witness my own signature on a petition sheet?

  No. You may only sign another canvasser’s petition sheet after you provide them with your authorized ID. Your signature must be witnessed by them.

• Can I sign more than once?

  No. You may only sign a petition once. Only an individual’s first signature on a petition will count.

• Can I sign on behalf of my family members?

  No. Each person must show their ID* and sign for themselves. It is an offence under the Citizen Initiative Act to affix a false or forged signature on the petition.

  *Showing authorized ID is not required to sign a petition issued before December 11, 2025.

• Can I sign a petition for another individual?

  No. Individuals signing must show canvassers their authorized ID* and physically write on the signature sheet the following information: their name, residential address, contact information, date of signing, declaration they are an elector, and their signature. An individual cannot sign on behalf of another individual due to these requirements.

  *Showing authorized ID is not required to sign a petition issued before December 11, 2025.

• What information do I have to provide when I sign an initiative petition?

  An eligible elector signing the petition must:

  • Produce proof of their identity and status of an elector with one piece of government-issued photo ID, their name, and current residential address, or two pieces of with their name, one of which of which has their current residential address.*
  • print their surname and given names legibly;
  • print the physical address where they ordinarily reside at the time of signing;
  • provide their telephone number and/or email address;
  • confirm they are an eligible elector; and
  • date it on the date they signed the petition.

  Postal addresses, such as PO box numbers, are not acceptable. Signatures not accompanied by a current physical residential address will not be counted.

  *Showing authorized ID is not required to sign a petition issued before December 11, 2025.

• Why am I asked to provide my phone number or email address when I sign the petition?

  The legislation specifically requires signatories to provide either a telephone number or email address on the petition. This information may be used by Elections Alberta to contact you during the verification process to confirm you signed the petition and your information is correct, or by the proponent to confirm your information is correct.

• If I sign the petition, will my personal information be made public?

  The Citizen Initiative Act requires petition sheets be made available for public inspection for one year from the time it is filed or submitted. Electors’ residential address and contact information (phone or email) must be obscured from public inspection.

  Individuals who ask to view copies of citizen initiative petition sheets are required to sign a declaration stating the information viewed will not be used except as permitted under the Citizen Initiative Act.

• If I sign the petition, can my personal information be kept or used by the proponent or canvasser?

  The Citizen Initiative Act prevents this. Proponents, their team, and canvassers may not disclose or retain personal information for purposes not authorized under the Act. This is an offence under the Act and carries a penalty of between $50,000 and $500,000 for individuals and $500,000 to $1,000,000 for a corporation, organization, or group. requires petition sheets be made available for public inspection for one year from the time it is filed or submitted.

• What if I make a mistake when signing the petition?

  To correct mistakes, neatly put a line through the mistake and make the necessary correction. If the name or address becomes unreadable after the correction, put a line through the petition row and start again on a new row.

• I’ve signed the petition but have changed my mind – can I have my name removed?

  The proponent may remove any signature from the petition upon the request of the elector. However, the proponent is not compelled to do so. Elections Alberta has no direct control over the signatures on a petition during the canvassing period, and once the petition has been submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Alberta cannot remove a name from the petition.

Verification

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• How must the petition be submitted?

  The proponent can submit the petition to the Chief Electoral Officer by mail, by courier, or in person, but must meet the following rules:

  • Submit all petition sheets at one time. No late submissions or partial submissions will be accepted.
  • Submit only the original signed petition sheets. Photocopies, faxes, or other electronic copies of signed petition sheets will not be counted.
  • Submit all of the original signed petition sheets, regardless of whether sufficient signatures have been collected.
  • All petition sheets must be received at Elections Alberta by 4:30pm on the 120th day of the citizen initiative petition signing period.
• What happens if a petition is submitted early?

  The verification period begins as soon as a petition is submitted. If a proponent submits a petition before the end of the 120-day* canvassing period, they cannot continue to collect and submit signatures.

• How does the verification process work?

  Elections Alberta will verify the petition within 21* days of the date the petition was submitted.

  The verification process includes:

  • Confirmation that only the petition signature sheets as provided to the applicant were used in the collection of signatures;
  • Confirmation that only original signatures have been collected;
  • A review of every signature to ensure the required information was provided (full name, physical address, contact information, date, signature);
  • Confirmation that every signature on the petition was witnessed by a registered canvasser, and each page was signed with the canvasser’s name, residential address, and phone number, and includes the statement confirming each elector signing was eligible and produced the required ID;
  • A random sample to confirm the signatories’ addresses are in Alberta; and
  • Contacting a random sample of signatories to confirm their information is correct and they signed the petition.

  Incomplete or invalid signatures are screened out and are not included in the final count. If it becomes clear during any part of the verification the count will not meet the required signature threshold, no further verification is done.

• Will I be called to verify my signature on the petition?

  During the 21-day verification process, Elections Alberta staff will contact a random sample of electors who have signed the petition to verify their information and signatures, using the contact information recorded on the petition signature sheets. Electors who have signed the petition are asked to be prepared to verify their information, as they may be contacted.

  If a phone number was listed in the contact information, randomly selected electors will receive a text message from Elections Alberta indicating we will be calling to verify their information. There is no need to call or text us back, and the message will indicate you should not reply and will not contain any links. When we call you, Elections Alberta’s name will appear on the call display.

  If an email was listed in the contact information, randomly selected electors will receive an email from Elections Alberta with the information to be verified. Electors will respond by email with a yes if the information is correct, and no if the information is incorrect.

• How do I know a call or email to verify my information is legitimately from Elections Alberta?

  Elections Alberta’s name will be in the call display, text message, or email message. If you receive a voice mail or text message from Elections Alberta, please follow the instructions in our message. We will not include any links in a text message and it will direct you to not respond to the text. When we phone you, our service agents will provide their verification team number.

  A legitimate phone call or email from Elections Alberta will ask you about specific pieces of information you entered on the petition.

  If you have received a call or email and are concerned it may not be from Elections Alberta, please contact 780.427.7191 and we will confirm its authenticity.

• How are duplicate signatures dealt with?

  Electors may only sign a citizen initiative petition once. Only an individual’s first signature on a petition will count. Depending on the circumstances, Elections Alberta may investigate instances of multiple signing.

• Does the proponent have any role in verification?

  There is no provision in the Citizen Initiative Act for observers or scrutineers during petition verification.