Voters in the Alberta by-election will utilize specially modified ballots due to an unusually high number of candidates participating.
In the upcoming Battle River-Crowfoot by-election on August 18, 2025, Elections Canada has implemented a unique solution to manage an unusually long list of candidates. A total of 210 candidates, including 10 major ones, have registered for the by-election, with the Longest Ballot Committee being a significant factor in this high number.
To address the operational challenges posed by such a lengthy ballot, Elections Canada is providing adapted ballots at polling stations. Instead of marking an "X" next to their preferred candidate, voters will manually write out the name of their chosen candidate. This method aims to maintain clarity for voters and reduce potential counting delays, as encountered in previous elections with numerous candidates.
The by-election was called for Pierre Poilievre to run, following the resignation of Conservative Damien Kurek. Poilievre, who recently lost the April general election in his former riding of Carleton, has been a notable figure in the race, with the Longest Ballot Committee registering 91 candidates in his former riding for the general election.
To ensure the integrity of the election and the ease of the voting process, every adapted ballot in the August 18 by-election will clearly name a candidate, not a party. Furthermore, the counting of votes will occur in front of a witness, and the ballot for the by-election will not be bulky due to a large number of candidates.
Voters will also be provided with a complete list of candidates, ensuring they have all the information they need to make an informed decision. The by-election is set to provide an interesting test case for Elections Canada's adapted ballot system and the Longest Ballot Committee's tactics.
- The Longest Ballot Committee, responsible for the high number of candidates in the Battle River-Crowfoot by-election, also registered an unprecedented 91 candidates in Pierre Poilievre's former riding during the general election, demonstrating a pattern of mass registrations in his political career.
- Amidst the controversy surrounding the large number of candidates and the operational challenges posed by the Longest Ballot Committee, Elections Canada's adapted ballot system aims to maintain clarity and reduce potential counting delays, ensuring a fair and efficient voting process in the August 18 by-election.
- As the August 18 by-election approaches, general news and policy-and-legislation discussions have included protests and debates centered around the implementation of the adapted ballot system, sparking discussions on the role of politics in the electoral process and the potential impact on voter choices.
