Scrutineers help maintain election integrity by ensuring a fair and transparent election that follows the law.

Scrutineers are permitted in a voting station to observe the voting procedures and the counting of ballots.

To be appointed as a scrutineer, an individual must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Not have been convicted of an election-related offence under the Local Authorities Election Act, Election Act (Alberta), Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada Elections Act in the last 10 years.
  • A candidate or their official agent can serve as a scrutineer.

The Presiding Deputy Returning Officer (PDRO) sets aside a specific area within the voting station for scrutineers to watch election proceedings.

Scrutineers can observe at voting stations for:

  • Election Day
  • Advance Vote
  • Care facilities where the voting station is in a common area

Scrutineers are also permitted at:

  • Counting centre(s)
  • Locations identified for recounts (if required)

Scrutineers are appointed by a candidate and must present this in a form of written undertaking or letter signed by the candidate. This document should be completed and signed by the candidate before the scrutineer visits the voting station.

They should use a separate document/form for each scrutineer being appointed and list all the voting stations they will attend during voting hours.

A scrutineer keeps the signed document/form with them and shows it to the Presiding Deputy Returning Officer (PDRO) at each voting station they visit.

Making a Statement or oath at the voting station

When entering a voting station, a scrutineer must show their form of written undertaking mentioned above to the PDRO.

Scrutineers will be asked by the PDRO to make a verbal statement/oath and complete the Statement of Scrutineer Form 16.

If a scrutineer leaves and returns to the same voting station, they must show the document/form again. They do not have to repeat the statement/oath or statement form.

The PDRO will keep the signed Form 16 and the Scrutineer will complete this at every location they visit.

General rules for scrutineers

  • A candidate or official agent may be a scrutineer.
  • A candidate, official agent and a scrutineer cannot be in the same voting station at the same time.
  • Scrutineers are given an identification badge which must be worn while in the station and returned before leaving.
  • Scrutineers can leave and return to a voting station during voting hours.
  • Scrutineers can be assigned more than one voting station.
  • To observe the ballot count, a scrutineer must be inside the voting station before it closes and cannot leave and return while the count is in progress.

Before the voting station opens:

  • A scrutineer may enter the voting station 15 minutes before the station opens.
  • A scrutineer may view the ballot boxes to ensure they are empty before they are sealed.

During voting hours:

  • A scrutineer may observe the activities in the voting station.
  • A scrutineer may ask to see the names and addresses of electors who have requested a mail-in (special) ballot. However, photos and copies of this list are not permitted.

After the voting station closes:

  • A scrutineer may watch the counting of ballots at each table.
  • A scrutineer may make an objection to how any ballot is counted. The objection will be recorded.
  • Take a photo or make a copy of the elector registry.
  • Interfere with the voting process.
  • Prevent an elector from voting.
  • View an elector marking their ballot.
  • Assist an elector to mark a ballot. An election worker can assist an elector and is sworn to secrecy.
  • Campaign inside or outside the voting station, including the parking lot.
  • Wear campaign materials such as buttons, t-shirts or hats.
  • Talk to an elector in the voting station.
  • Touch voting materials.
  • Vouch for a person at the voting station.
  • Object to a person voting.
  • Participate in the counting of ballots.
  • Take phone calls inside the voting station.

Note: Any exchange of information between the scrutineer and candidate, or official agent, must take place outside of the voting station.

No pictures or videos: To protect the privacy of electors’ personal information and the secrecy of their vote, photos and videos are not permitted in the voting station at any time.