ELECTION ACT & REGULATIONS

To support the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) transition to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, the Laws Group has developed a draft Elections and Referenda Act (Election Law). Under the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Constitution, there must be a law outlining how elections and referenda will be held. In recent months, the Laws Group has worked closely with the MNA, Provincial Council, the Transition Committee, and others, to develop the draft Election Law.

To develop the Election Law, the Laws Group used the MNA’s existing election bylaws as the foundation. Revisions to the existing bylaws were then considered based on: changes required to implement the new Constitution, changes bases on voting practices incorporated during the Constitution Ratification Vote, and changes based on leading practices from other jurisdictions.

To accompany the Election Law, the Laws Group also developed a Campaign Finance Regulation (the Regulation), to support the good and efficient operation and enforcement of voting events.

The Election Law was shared with Citizens for their feedback. Citizens were able to submit feedback online from May 15th to June 9th, 2023, and during the Special Meeting on May 27th, 2023. After the feedback period closed, the Laws Group reviewed the feedback provided by dozens of Citizens and revised the Election Law as appropriate, including timelines, responsibilities, and clarifying language. The Election Law and Campaign Finance Regulation were then adopted by Provincial Council.

You can read the Election and Referenda Act by clicking the image below:

You can read the Campaign Finance Regulation by clicking the image below: