Province seeks feedback on local-level electoral systems

By Gillian Slade on June 28, 2018.

NEWS FILE PHOTO
A voter casts a ballot in this undated News photo. The province is inviting feedback online about changes people would like to see in how elections take place on the municipal level, for school boards, Métis Settlements and irrigation districts.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com @MHNGillianSlade

The province is inviting feedback online about changes people would like to see in how elections take place on the municipal level, for school boards, Métis Settlements and irrigation districts.

There has already been some conversation in the community about changes that should be considered under the Local Authorities Election Act, which establishes the framework for local elections in Alberta.

A ward system within the municipality is something Immanuel Moritz, who ran for council in the 2015 municipal election, is in favour of.

“In a ward system everyone only gets to vote for one person,” said Moritz. “It’s the democratic process, it’s one person, one vote, instead of one person, eight votes.”

He believes the city could be divided into four wards, with two councillors for each ward or eight smaller wards with one councillor for each.

There may be situations where there are two excellent candidates in a particular ward and only one will win but “that’s how democracy works,” said Moritz.

There are some other benefits to the ward system he says. A councillor in a ward would be familiar with issues in that particular ward. They would also have an understanding of what matters to those residents, said Moritz. It would also be more effective time wise for councillors. To address an issue in a specific ward, you could contact the councillor for that ward, rather than all of them.

Coun. Kris Samraj recently raised the subject of fixed terms for councillors and hoped to open the debate for the provincial authority to consider.

If you would like to have a say, you have until July 31 to complete an online survey. Topics covered in the consultation include: Campaign contributions and finances, campaign expenses, third-party advertising, school board trustee elections, voter identification, advance votes and residency requirements.

Based on the feedback, proposed changes may be introduced in a future session of the legislature.