Earlier this month, Rocky View County (RVC) changed its elections bylaw to align with changes the provincial government will be implementing.
To see the changes that Bill 20 (Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendments Act) includes, click HERE.
Tyler Andreasen, lead legislative officer with RVC's legislative services department talked about the changes they made to the elections bylaw.
"The primary changes for Rocky View County would be the requirement for us to prepare and use a permanent electors register in upcoming elections, as well as the requirement for RVC and other municipalities to offer special ballots."
He explained that the permanent electors' register resembles a voters list.
"It's a database that has eligible voters for Rockyview County's municipal elections. Voters (residents) must be on the permanent electors register to be issued a ballot.
When it comes to the special ballot, Andreasen explained residents will now be able to vote via mail-in-ballots. He went on to talk about how they welcome the recently announced changes.
"There are certainly changes that will benefit the county and residents. Some changes put more administrative resources on the planning and conduction of the election. But overall, we welcome the changes and are prepared to go forward with them for the 2025 municipal election."
Andreason also shared that they usually make changes to the election bylaw if need be the year before an election.
"At the October 8 meeting, Council adopted that new election bylaw and that election bylaw primarily guides administration with the planning of municipal elections."
The next RVC election is scheduled for October 20, 2025.
"There are quite a few changes because of Bill 20 to the election processes that will affect both candidates and voters. RVC will help communicate these changes in the run-up to the election."
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