Legislation and Bulletins

Elections Alberta is governed by provincial legislation. When an election, by-election, plebiscite, or enumeration is held, we must follow the rules outlined in legislation. These include the Election Act, Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act and the Alberta Senate Election Act. 

We also have other specific duties assigned by the Local Authorities Election Act and the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act. 

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• Election Act

  The Election Act assigns Elections Alberta the responsibility for: 

  • Conducting provincial elections, enumerations, by-elections and plebiscites 
  • Maintaining an up-to-date permanent List of Electors 
  • Investigating complaints of possible breaches of the Act and consenting to prosecution, if warranted 

  View the Election Act. 

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  Elections Alberta is also responsible for one regulation under the Election Act: 

  • Election Act Forms Regulation
• Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act (EFCDA)

  The Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act assigns Elections Alberta the responsibility for: 

  • Ensuring filing, examination, and public disclosure of financial documents submitted by political parties, constituency associations, candidates, leadership contestants, and third-party advertisers. 
  • Enforcing legislation relating to the collection of contributions by political parties, constituency associations, candidates, leadership contestants, and third-party advertisers. 
  • Maintaining a register of political parties, constituency associations, candidates, leadership contestants, and third-party advertisers. 
  • Assisting groups forming new political parties 
  • Investigating complaints of breaches of the Act and consenting to prosecution (if warranted) 

  View the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act. 

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  Elections Alberta is also responsible for one regulation under the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act: 

  • Prohibited Corporations Regulation

  The Prohibited Corporations Regulation identifies corporations designated as prohibited corporations under section 3 of the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act. 

• Alberta Senate Election Act (ASEA)

  The Alberta Senate Election Act assigns Elections Alberta the responsibility for overseeing the conduct of senate nominee elections. Senate elections can be held: 

  • With a provincial general election,  
  • With a local authority election, or 
  • At a separate time, following the requirements of the Election Act.  

  View the Alberta Senate Election Act. 

• Referendum Act

  The Referendum Act outlines the process to conduct constitutional and non-constitutional referendum votes. Referendums can be held:

  • With a provincial general election,
  • With a local authority election, or
  • At a separate time, following the requirements of the Election Act. 

  View the Referendum Act.

• Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA)

  As of August 1, 2019, the Election Commissioner will accept and investigate complaints and allegations related to campaign finance and contribution disclosure rules (Part 5.1), and third-party advertising rules (Part 8) contained within the Local Authorities Election Act. Complaints can arise concerning by-elections, term elections, or local general elections. 

  The enforcement authority of the Election Commissioner related to local authority elections includes all elections held for municipal councillors/mayors, school board trustees, irrigation district board members, and Métis Settlement councillors. 

  View the Local Authorities Election Act. 

• Legislative Assembly Act

  The Legislative Assembly Act, in part, sets out timelines which affect the conduct of elections and by-elections. 

  View the Legislative Assembly Act. 

• Electoral Boundaries Commission Act

  The Electoral Boundaries Commission Act assigns Elections Alberta the responsibility of providing advice, information and assistance to the Electoral Boundaries Commission established by this Act. The Commission is responsible for reviewing existing Electoral Division boundaries and for recommending Electoral Division boundaries to the Legislative Assembly. A Commission is to be appointed after every second provincial general election, between 8 and 10 years from the appointment of the last Commission. 

   View the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act. 

  View Past Reports:

  • 2016/2017 Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission Report 
  • 2009/2010 Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission Report 
  • 2002/2003 Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission Report 

Interpretation Bulletins

The Chief Electoral Officer has provided interpretation bulletins under the Election Act and Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act in the following topic areas:

• No. 1 Advertising by Government Departments and Provincial Corporations during Election and By-Election Periods
• No. 2 Campaigning Outside of a Campaign Period
• No. 3 Party Mergers
• No. 4 Recording Expenses that Span Campaign and Election Periods

Guidelines

The Chief Electoral Officer is required to post guidelines under the Election Act. They can be found below:

• Alberta Voters List Access Guidelines
• CEO Guidelines for Election Surveys
• Advertising Guidelines for Political Participants