A Bill that was tabled earlier this month in the Alberta Legislature is leaving some worried over changes it could bring to voting day.

Bill 32 , An Act To Strengthen And Protect Democracy is being designed to help close loopholes in party donations and offer changes to Advance Voting.

However, the Opposition UCP were quick to point out some of the flaws they see in the Bill, including the fact it was brought so late in the fall session.

In an email statement, Airdrie MLA Angela Pitt said ramming the legislation through could have serious ramifications in future elections. She also notes that little to no consultation was done for the Bill, including with the Chief Electoral Officer.

Pamela Renwick, Director of Operations and Communications with Elections Alberta said they were consulted on workability factors and past recommendations to the Act, but were not involved in other discussions.

"As far as consultation on how policy decisions or directions, what that would look like, we were not involved in that."

On top of questions that remain unanswered in regards to corporate or union donations to political parties, Pitt said there's one section of the Bill that is very troubling. Under Section 30 and subsection C of the current Act, a prospective voter must have resided in Alberta for at least 6 months in order to vote. Bill 32 would repeal that subsection, leaving the UCP to believe that anyone could show up the day before an election and vote.

However, Renwick said there are still some rules that all voters will follow come election day.

"They still need to prove that they are a resident of Alberta. They would need to provide two pieces of identification. One usually would show their name, the other would establish that they live here."

Right now, there's no word as to whether anything will replace that subsection if it is repealed.

Bill 32 is still awaiting it's second reading in the Legislature.

 

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