July 28, 2025
RED FM News Desk
Voters in Alberta’s Battle River–Crowfoot riding will have to write the name of their preferred candidate on the ballot in the upcoming byelection, Elections Canada has announced. This unusual voting method is being adopted for the first time in Canadian federal election history due to an unprecedented number of registered candidates—more than 200.
As of now, 209 candidates have officially registered to run in the byelection, shattering the previous national record of 91. A traditional printed ballot listing all candidate names would be over one meter long, making it impractical for voters and election officials alike. To avoid logistical delays and confusion, Elections Canada will provide special write-in ballots both during advance voting and on election day.
At polling stations, the full list of certified candidates will be posted for reference. Voters will then be required to manually write the name of the candidate they wish to support. Elections Canada described this shift as a necessary response to “unprecedented and exceptional circumstances,” and noted that it is legally permitted under the Canada Elections Act.
The massive number of candidates is largely the result of a coordinated effort by a political reform group called the Longest Ballot Committee. This group does not intend to win seats but aims to draw attention to the need for electoral reform. Their goals include the creation of a citizen-led assembly to improve democratic representation and to pressure political parties to take accountability for improving the electoral system.
The byelection was triggered when former Member of Parliament Damien Kurek stepped down, opening the door for Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre to run for a seat in the House of Commons. Poilievre lost his Carleton riding in the last general election held in April 2025 and now seeks re-entry through this Alberta constituency.
Despite the use of write-in ballots, Elections Canada has cautioned that the vote-counting process could still face delays. Each ballot will need to be reviewed and tallied by hand to ensure accuracy, given the handwritten nature of the votes. In previous cases involving high candidate counts, additional staff and process changes were implemented to manage the extra workload, and similar preparations are being made here. The byelection is scheduled to take place on August 18, 2025
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