In a bold move aimed at drawing attention to Canada’s electoral system, the Longest Ballot Committee is preparing to flood the upcoming Alberta byelection with an unprecedented number of candidates. The advocacy group, known for its protest campaigns featuring excessively long ballots, has set its sights on the Battle River—Crowfoot riding, where Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre hopes to secure a seat after losing his long-held Carleton riding in the recent federal election.
The committee, which previously stacked ballots in Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba byelections, is now aiming to register 200 candidates for the Alberta race—potentially setting a new record. Their goal is to spark a national conversation about electoral reform, arguing that Canada’s current system does not adequately represent voters.
Poilievre, who lost his seat to Liberal Bruce Fanjoy on April 28, is expected to run in Battle River—Crowfoot after Conservative MP Damien Kurek pledged to step aside. The riding is considered a stronghold for the Conservative Party, with Kurek securing over 82% of the vote in the last election.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated that he will call the byelection swiftly, ensuring Poilievre has the opportunity to return to the House of Commons. However, the Longest Ballot Committee’s efforts could complicate the process, as previous long-ballot elections have led to logistical challenges, including delays in vote counting and difficulties for voters handling oversized ballots.
With the byelection expected to take place in the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Battle River—Crowfoot to see whether the committee’s protest will influence discussions on electoral reform—or simply add another layer of complexity to Poilievre’s political comeback.
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