Scrutineers play an important role in maintaining election integrity, helping to ensure voting and counting processes are fair and transparent.
Who Can Be a Scrutineer?
- A scrutineer must be at least 18 years old, (may require identification to verify age eligibility)
- An official agent or another representative appointed by a candidate
- Only one of a candidate, official agent or scrutineer may be present at the voting station at a time
- In the past 10 years, they must not have been convicted under the Local Authorities Election Act, Election Act (Alberta), Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada Elections Act
Appointment Process
- The candidate completes and signs a Designation of Scrutineer Form, or another written document with the candidate signature. Scrutineers must bring this signed form with them to every voting station they attend.
- Upon arrival, the scrutineer presents their appointment form to an election worker. Identification may be required.
- Scrutineers will then be asked to complete Form 16: Statement of Scrutineer. This form is required at each voting station, but only needs to be completed once per station, even if the scrutineer leaves and returns later.
- Scrutineers will be given an identification badge which must be worn while in the station and returned before leaving.
Where Can a Scrutineer Go?
Scrutineers can monitor voting stations on Election Day, advance vote or at institutional voting opportunities. Scrutineers may also be present for the processing of returned special ballot packages, only at designated locations at the designated time.
Scrutineers are also permitted at counting centres or locations identified for recounts, as required. To observe a ballot count, a scrutineer must be inside the voting station before it closes and cannot leave and return while the count is in progress.
Each voting station will have a designated observation area to monitor the process while protecting elector privacy and the secrecy of the vote.
Scrutineers must remain within the designated location.
Role and Duties of a Scrutineer
Scrutineers are there to observe and monitor, not to interfere.
Before the voting station opens:
- Enter up to 30 minutes before opening.
- View the ballot boxes to confirm they are empty before being sealed.
- Sign the security tape on the ballot boxes (optional).
During voting hours:
- Observe voting procedures from the designated area.
After the voting station closes:
- Observe the counting of ballots.
- Make objections to how a ballot is being counted. Objections will be recorded on Form 18 Note of Objection to a Ballot. Final decisions rest with the Count Team.
- Sign the Ballot Account form after the count (optional).
- Sign the ballot box seals (optional).
Conduct of Scrutineers
Scrutineers:
- Must wear the official scrutineer identification badge while in the voting station.
- Must remain within the designated area while observing.
- Must maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of the voting in the voting station
- May leave and re-enter the voting station as needed during voting hours (Form 16 is valid for that station).
Scrutineer cannot:
- Interact with or request information directly from voters.
- Access, photograph, or copy the elector registry.
- Wear or display campaign materials (buttons, shirts, hats, etc.).
- Campaign inside or outside the voting station, including the parking lot.
- Assist voters in marking their ballots (only election workers may do so).
- Vouch for an elector.
- Take photos, videos, or calls inside the voting station.
- Object to a voter casting their ballot.
- Attempt to interfere with a voter when they are marking their ballot.
- Attempt to find out which a voter’s intended vote, or who they voted for.
- Attempt to communicate information learned at a voting station about any voter’s intent.
- Attempt to communicate information about the votes obtained during the counting of votes.
- Touch ballots, ballot boxes or election materials or participate in the counting of ballots.
Any communication between scrutineers and candidates or agents must take place outside the voting station.
Contact Us
Edmonton Elections
Office Hours
Monday to Friday: 9am-7pm
Saturdays: 9am-4pm
Sundays & Holidays: Closed
Email elections@edmonton.ca
Phone 780-442-8683