Alberta Referendum Cost Nearly $84 Million, Elections Alberta Seeks Additional $59 Million

Elections Alberta has estimated the total cost of last month's referendum at nearly $84 million. The agency has requested more than $59 million in additional funding from the provincial government to cover expenses already incurred and upcoming work.

Of the requested amount, approximately $49 million is intended to cover costs related to the October referendum, which have already been incurred. The vote set new records for advance voting, special ballots and voter turnout.

Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure told a committee that manually counting 10 ballot papers for each voter placed significant pressure on the agency's resources.

The expenses included $26 million for staff wages, $7 million for renting facilities and approximately $11 million for security, IT equipment, postage and other related costs.

The committee has approved an additional $1 million in funding to allow Elections Alberta to hire new staff.