MODERNIZING ELECTION ADMINISTRATION in the Northwest Territories

TABLED DOCUMENT 49-18(2) TABLED ON MAY 31, 2016 MODERNIZING ELECTION ADMINISTRATION in the Northwest Territories CEO Report on the Administration of the 2015 Territorial General Election May 23, 2016 The Honourable Jackson Lafferty Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the NWT PO Box 1320 Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9 Dear Mr. Speaker: I have the privilege to submit for contemplation of the Legislative Assembly my report, Modernizing Election Administration in the Northwest Territories, as it relates to the management of the 2015 Territorial General Election and offers recommendations for administering future electoral events in the Northwest Territories. The report will provide insight into the electoral event from the aspects of election stakeholders, operational considerations, communications and the electoral activities that occurred during and after the writ period. The report includes proposed recommendations that were assembled during the administration of the event with the objective of ensuring Elections NWT continues to mature and be well positioned to meet the expectations of the Northwest Territories electorate in the coming years. The report is submitted in accordance with subsection 266(2) of the Elections and Plebiscites Act. Sincerely, Nicole Latour Chief Electoral Officer, Northwest Territories electionsnwt.ca | A 1-844-767-9100 Table of Contents Introduction .................................................... 1 Prologue ........................................................ 2 Remarks of the Chief Electoral Officer .............. 3 Returning Officers ........................................... 5 Election Components People ............................................................. 7 Electors .......................................................... 8 Candidates ................................................... 13 Election Workers ........................................... 15 Logistics ....................................................... 21 Preparing Election Officers ............................ 22 Partnerships ................................................. 24 Real Estate ................................................... 26 Communications .......................................... 29 Planning and Promotion ................................ 30 Public Engagement ....................................... 32 Website ....................................................... 37 Activities ....................................................... 41 Event ........................................................... 42 Results Reporting ......................................... 54 Post Event .................................................... 58 Recommendations ....................................... 61 Moving Forward ............................................ 79 Appendices ................................................... 80 electionsnwt.ca | A 6 | Modernizing Election Administration in the NWT - 2016 INTRODUCTION PROLOGUE REMARKS OF THE CEO RETURNING OFFICERS Legislative Amendments Electoral Boundaries electionsnwt.ca | 1 Prologue A number of relevant events preceded the 2015 Another amendment to the Elections and Plebiscites An interim report was released to the public in Territorial General Election. The two most significant Act was included as a related amendment in Bill February 2013 as a precursor to the public hearings. were amendments to the Elections and Plebiscites Act 69, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly The final report was delivered to the Speaker of and the 2012-2013 Electoral Boundaries Commission. and Executive Council Act, No.2. This amendment the Legislative Assembly in May 2013, containing essentially ensures that the interim solution proposed proposals for 18, 19 or 21 electoral districts. to address the issue of competing federal and The Legislative Assembly made the decision to Legislative Amendments territorial electoral events addressed in Bill 34 maintain 19 electoral districts. Seven districts – Prior to the 2015 Territorial General Election the becomes a permanent course of action. Elections and Plebiscites Act saw a total of 94 Deh Cho, Mackenzie Delta, Monfwi, Nahendeh, In short, this amendment ensures any future overlap amendments. Bill 26, An Act to Amend the Elections Nunakput, Sahtu and Thebacha – remained between federal and territorial general elections is and Plebiscites Act, contained 44 amendments and a unchanged. The communities of Inuvik and Hay River avoided by moving the date of the territorial general consequential amendment to the Health Information saw the boundaries of each of their two electoral election to the third Monday in November. Act. Bill 33, An Act to Amend the Elections and districts adjusted to achieve a better balance of Plebiscites Act No. 2, contained another 49 representation. One of the more notable changes saw amendments to the Elections and Plebiscites Act. Electoral Boundaries the communities of Dettah and N’dilo moved from the Some of the highlights of these bills include: electoral district formerly known as Weledeh to the The Northwest Territories Electoral Boundaries newly named Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh district that includes • clearer information sharing requirements Commission Act requires territorial electoral the communities of Fort Resolution and Łutselk’e. to enable compilation of the Register of boundaries to be reviewed within the two years The seven districts within the city of Yellowknife Electors; following every second general election. The 17th were adjusted to ensure a more equal balance of Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories • allowing a person or Returning Officer representation. carried a motion on October 22, 2012 to establish the opportunity to correct and ensure the In the fall of 2015, the City of Yellowknife applied to accuracy of the Register of Electors; the independent Commission. The Commission was tasked with undertaking a review of the areas, the NWT Supreme Court to have the new boundaries • substantial clarification on voting at advance names, boundaries, and representations of the declared invalid on the basis of under-representation. Special Voting Opportunities; existing electoral districts, and preparing a report The Court ruled against the City, finding all the • expansion of the number of electors an eligible that contained recommendations for the Legislative Yellowknife districts fell within the acceptable elector may vouch for at an election; and Assembly’s consideration. variance of the 25% range and, consequently, that the Government of the Northwest Territories need not • setting a total limit on anonymous donations. At the time of the Commission there were 19 re-visit their decision. Bill 34, 2015 Polling Day Act, made an allowance to electoral districts. The Electoral Boundaries move the fixed date for the 2015 Territorial General Commission Act stipulates the Commission must hold Election from October 5, 2015 to November 23, 2015 public hearings to hear representations respecting in the event the federal general election was to occur the existing or proposed electoral districts. The on October 19, 2015. Commission held 15 hearings in well-established public places in 14 communities. 2 | Modernizing Election Administration in the NWT - 2016 Remarks of the Chief Electoral Officer the bus and I thank them for their intelligence, grace Remarks of the Chief and humour as we made our way. Electoral Officer The 2015 Territorial General Election served more When measuring the success of an electoral event, electors, was accurate, and was fiscally responsible. many turn to the voter turnout percentage. Presented Further to that, the prevalence of micro-successes as a simple math problem; the number of registered becomes apparent to readers of this report, which electors divided by the number of electors who cast a brings attention to the numerous components of ballot shows that 44% of electors attended the polls an electoral event comprised of people, logistics, for the 2015 Territorial General Election. This is a communications, and all the activities that occur lower percentage than the 2011 event which saw before, during and after the writ period. Elections a 47% turnout. NWT is of the mind that an educated electorate is The use of the percentage calculation leaves the an engaged electorate, therefore, this report has impression the 2015 event was less successful been prepared for a wide audience that includes law NICOLE LATOUR - CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER and that a steady decline in voters visiting the polls makers, stakeholders, and the general public with the continues in the Northwest Territories. However, goal of expanding readership. further analysis shows a 7% increase in the number In order to better serve stakeholders and experience of electors who cast ballots during this event. A positive movement in election administration, five number of other factors point to the overall success regulations would provide flexible parameters needed significant recommendations presented in this report of the 2015 Territorial General Election: increased to make practical management decisions as electoral should come to the forefront: voter attendance, three judicial recounts that upheld events unfold. the original outcomes of their respective districts, and 1. Rewrite the Elections and Plebiscites Act The language in the Elections and Plebiscites an event that came in under budget. 2. Leverage technology 2 Act is highly prescriptive and presents as In addition to 19 appointed Returning

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