Alberta Record

· Bill / Election Rules Amendment · enacted

Bill 54 — Recall Act: Increased Signature Threshold and Procedural Changes

Increases the signature threshold required to trigger a recall vote, shortens the maximum length of the applicant's statement, extends the canvassing period, and allows the subject of a petition to submit a response.

Moderate impactElection rulesCivil libertiesThe public, directlyLegislature

What changed

  • The signature threshold for a recall vote is increased from 40% to 60% of the total votes cast in the previous election in the electoral division. (Section 10(6)(a) of Bill 54, amending Recall Act s. 8)
  • The maximum length of the applicant's statement in a recall petition is reduced from 200 words to 100 words. (Section 10(3)(a) of Bill 54, amending Recall Act s. 2(2)(c))
  • The canvassing period for a recall petition is extended from 60 days to 90 days. (Section 10(5)(a)(i) of Bill 54, amending Recall Act s. 7(1))
  • A new provision allows the subject of a recall petition to submit a 100-word response statement. (Section 10(4) of Bill 54, adding Recall Act s. 3.1)

Why it matters

  • The increase in the signature threshold from 40% to 60% makes it more challenging for citizens to initiate a recall vote.
  • Reducing the applicant's statement length limits the space available for petitioners to articulate their reasons for a recall.
  • Extending the canvassing period from 60 to 90 days provides petitioners with additional time to collect the required signatures.
  • The introduction of a response statement for the subject of a recall petition allows them to present their perspective directly within the petition document.

Rights affected

  • Freedom of expression — The freedom to speak, publish, and access ideas.

Other governance concerns

  • Direct democracy
  • Citizen participation
  • Freedom of expression

Primary sources (1)

Secondary sources (4)