A parliamentary committee is urging the government to revise federal election regulations to prevent prolonged ballot protests by advocates of electoral reform. The group in question, referred to as the Longest Ballot Committee, has significantly increased the number of candidates in various electoral races over the last five years.
Their actions have led to Elections Canada having to make adjustments to ballots, resulting in unusually long ballots, voter confusion, and delays in counting ballots. The procedures and House affairs committee recently issued a report calling for changes to the rules governing candidate eligibility.
Currently, a candidate needs 100 voter signatures from the riding to run in an election or byelection. The Longest Ballot Committee has exploited this requirement by having voters sign multiple nomination forms in the past.
The committee members propose amending the Canada Elections Act to prohibit signing more than one nomination form and making it clear on the forms that each voter can only support one candidate. The report also suggests making it unlawful to influence a voter to sign multiple forms, with potential penalties for such actions.
The Longest Ballot Committee is currently fielding numerous candidates in an upcoming byelection in Terrebonne, with 48 candidates confirmed so far. The committee recommends that rules be modified to allow only one official agent per candidate per riding, aiming to prevent a single individual from serving as the agent for multiple candidates.
Advocates of electoral reform, including the Longest Ballot Committee, are advocating for a citizens’ assembly to oversee electoral changes, criticizing political parties for being hesitant to make the government more reflective of the public. Despite the proposed changes to signature requirements, the group remains determined to continue their efforts.
During a previous byelection in Battle River-Crowfoot, where over 200 candidates ran, Elections Canada opted for write-in ballots rather than printing lengthy candidate lists. Similarly, write-in ballots will be utilized in the upcoming Terrebonne byelection.
The Bloc Québécois has opposed the recommendation for unique signatures on nomination forms, expressing concerns about limiting voter flexibility and potentially compromising the secrecy of the ballot. They also highlighted the burden placed on election workers to verify signatures.
