Elections Alberta explains messaging after false statements

Elections Alberta is clarifying what Albertans need to vote, after issuing misleading information on multiple platforms. By Alberta Law, you do not need a valid ID with a permanent address to vote. But Elections Alberta is now clearing the air after communicating the exact opposite of that.

Lori Williams, a political scientist at Mount Royal University, says such miscommunications can have significant effects.

“Some worry that this could have the impact of voter suppression. In other words, discouraging or making it more difficult for some people to vote, could be an advantage for some in particular election campaigns,” she said.

“In a close election, we want to make sure people have clear information about the ways in which they can vote.”

Elections Alberta issued misleading information on Twitter, its website, online, radio advertisements, as well as mailout pamphlets.

“Did you know ID is now a mandatory requirement in order to vote in the Provincial General Election? That means you’ll need to provide ID with your name & physical address before you’ll be handed your ballot,” reads a tweet from March. 28.

Though it has since corrected the information online and is working to correct the radio advertisements, the pamphlets are still in circulation.

Williams says that even without an ID, there are still ways to vote.

“There are a couple of possibilities there: signing of a declaration if you have valid identification but the address is different. Or you could have someone with valid identification who is eligible to vote in the same constituency who will vouch for your identity,” she said.

She also mentioned an increased concern for newcomers and marginalized voters, but there are also misconceptions on the streets of Calgary.

“I got a notification, so I think you need a proper ID, right?” one person said.

Another says they are planning on coming with multiple IDs to be on the safe side.

“I would come with my license. I have like three different identity cards so I’d probably bring a few because I feel like most things require two photo IDs,” one person told CityNews.

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In response to the messaging, Elections Alberta says in a statement it has already worked at clarifying some aspects of the voting process.

“We’ve heard some feedback online about our Register to Vote campaign, and that tells us that the information was not as clear to some electors as we’d intended. The bottom line is we want all Albertans to vote. The intent of the campaign is to help prepare voters in advance of the election, and we have revised the messaging in our online ads, we are working to pause the radio ads, and have changed the language on our website in response to requests for clarification,” the statement reads.

“Regarding ID, It’s important to point out there has been a change in legislation since the last election. In the past, ID was only required if you were being added to the voting record. For this election, electors need to be able to prove their identity and their physical residence in order to vote – and there are many ways to do that. For example, someone without ID could have another registered voter in the same voting area vouch for them. To vouch for another elector, you will need to show ID.”