Candidates
Where can I find the list of Candidates running?
Citizens can find the information of Candidates running in the General Election online at: https://www.metiselectionsab.com/findyourcandidate.
Where can I find further information about the Candidates?
Candidates are responsible for sharing information with Citizens about their Candidacy e.g., their position on issues. Citizens are encouraged to seek out this information about the Candidates prior to submitting their ballots.
Are MNA elected officials or staff able to endorse a Candidate? Do MNA elected officials continue to be paid while they are campaigning or during the campaign period?
There is no prohibition or restriction that applies to any member of Provincial Council or Métis Nation Alberta staff, that would have the effect of restricting them from participating in any Métis Nation Alberta election or democratic process, or from volunteering for or endorsing any candidate(s). This is provided such activities are undertaken outside of the Provincial Council member’s or staff member’s normal working hours, utilizing their personal funds, which includes the salary in which they are entitled to as a member of Provincial Council or staff.
Provincial Council members are precluded from utilizing any resources of the Métis Nation Alberta or its administration for any campaign related purposes, as set out in Section 141 of the Election and Referenda Act. This also extends to MNA staff.
Districts
Where can I find my District?
If Citizens do not know their District, they are able to use the “Find My District” tool available online at: https://www.metiselectionsab.com/findyourdistrict. Citizens may also reach out to the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer at [email protected] or 1-877-576-4250 if further assistance is required to find their District. Alternatively, the District Atlas can be used by Citizens and is available at: https://www.mnaconstitution.com/learn_more.
Voting Locations
Where can I find the in-person polling locations?
Citizens can find the information on in-person polling locations online at: https://www.metiselectionsab.com/votinglocation. Citizens may also reach out to the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer at [email protected] or 1-877-576-4250 if further assistance is required to find their voting location.
Ballots (incl. Mail-In Ballots)
Why are the ballots numbered? Is the Chief Electoral Officer able to use the ballot numbering to determine how a Citizen voted?
The ballots for the General Election are numbered, to support the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer to protect the integrity and proper conduct of the General Election. As there are multiple methods of voting available for Citizens, it is important for the ballots to be numbered.
The ballots are numbered in batches, for example, mail-in ballots may be ballot #1 – #60,000. In-person ballots are also numbered, for example, District 1: Foothills Métis District may receive ballots #60,001 – #60,100. This allows the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer to perform checks (as needed) that the correct ballots have returned through the different methods of voting. For example, if a ballot #60,250 returned from District 1: Foothills Métis District, this would require further investigation by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer. Please note, these numbers are illustrative only.
The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer is not able to use the numbering of the ballots to determine how a Citizen voted. Similarly, Candidates are also not able to use the numbering of the ballots to determine how a Citizen voted. For mail-in ballots, a ballot number is not associated with a specific Citizen. Similarly, for in-person voting, a ballot number is not associated with a specific Citizen.
When can I return my mail-in ballot?
If you intend to vote via mail-in ballot, please return your ballot as soon as possible. Citizens do not need to wait until September 13 to return their mail-in ballot. Mail-in ballots must be received by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer by 8pm on September 19 in order to be counted. Any mail-in ballots received after this date will be unable to be included in the General Election count.
What happens if I do not know my District? If I write the wrong District on my mail-in ballot, does that invalidate my vote?
If Citizens do not know their District, they are able to use the “Find My District” tool available online at: https://www.metiselectionsab.com/findyourdistrict.
If a Citizen writes the incorrect District on the Identification Envelope of their mail-in ballot, this does not invalidate their vote. When processing mail-in ballots, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer will check the District written on the Identification Envelope.
Voters List
How and why did a Candidate receive my information? How do Candidates receive the Voters List?
Under the Elections and Referenda Act, the Chief Electoral Officer must distribute the final list of voters to each Candidate in the election. This Voters List was made available to Candidates, with Candidates for Citizens’ Representative or District Captain receiving the list of voters within the District they are running. Candidates running for Provincial-wide positions received the entirety of the Voters List. This Voters List includes contact information for Citizens. As the Voter’s List is to be used for specific purposes under the Elections and Referenda Act, acclaimed Candidates did not receive access to the Voters List.
As outlined in the Notice of Vote, released on 30th June 2023, if Citizens wish to be removed from the Voters List please reach out to the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer at [email protected] or 1-877-576-4250.
Citizens can view the Elections and Referenda Act online at: https://www.metiselectionsab.com/election_act_and_regulations.
Citizens can view the Notice of Vote online at: https://www.metiselectionsab.com/.
Is the Voters List the same as the Métis Nation of Alberta distribution list?
No. The Voters List comes from the Métis Nation of Alberta Citizen Registry database. This is separate from the distribution list used by the Métis Nation of Alberta’s distribution list, which is used to communicate information about program, services, or other information from Departments.
Voter Assistance
I require additional assistance to vote, what should I do?
Additional voter assistance is available for Citizens who may need support to vote. Citizens can request this assistance online at: https://www.metiselectionsab.com/generalelection or by contacting the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer at [email protected] or 1-877-576-4250.
Chief Electoral Officer
How was the Chief Electoral Officer appointed? How are they separate from the MNA?
Chief Electoral Officer, Del Graff, was appointed by the Provincial Council to oversee the Special General Assembly Meeting in May as well as the upcoming elections in September. In his role, Chief Del Graff is responsible for providing guidance and supervision to ensure fair and impartial conduct of the special resolution and election voting process. He will ensure compliance with MNA bylaws and ensure the highest level of integrity throughout the process. The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer has an arms’ length separation and distance from the MNA.
What is the authority of the Chief Electoral Officer to investigate complaints?
The Chief Electoral Officer is empowered to investigate complaints under the Elections and Referenda Act. Please note that this is distinct from the authority vested in the Judicial Branch under the Act.