By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

FINES AND JAIL TIME ON THE TABLE

Alleged election impropriety being investigated by City of Red Deer

Oct 21, 2021 | 8:11 AM

The City of Red Deer confirms that an alleged impropriety during municipal voting is being investigated.

After polls closed Monday night, it came to light on social media that a person claiming to be an election worker in the city had also claimed to have guided voters on who to vote for.

That person, whom the City confirms was hired as a deputy returning officer, had commented on a Facebook post made by city council candidate Kraymer Barnstable in a citizen-created Red Deer election Q&A group.

The comment on Barnstable’s post, which remains up as of Wednesday at 2 p.m., reads as follows:

“I am working the election today and have had the privilege of helping many seniors cast their vote , they may not be able to read very well, but when you stay (sic) the names that are standing for freedom they are VERY adamant to have that name marked off . So wise !”

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The worker was later asked in reply to her comment which candidates she said stood for freedom.

She replies that she cannot disclose that information due to the oath of confidentiality she took, then claims to have not marked people’s ballots.

“I read the names and they voted . I took my job very seriously and would never hinder the democratic process .,” the worker writes.

Michelle Baer, Legal and Legislative Services Manager, wouldn’t say if the investigation involves speaking with Barnstable, who was elected with the seventh most votes. To date, however, there’s no information to implicate Barnstable or link him directly to the worker.

Baer says as for the employee, who was hired just for election work, that person is firstly facing human resources-type sanctions. Baer wouldn’t say what that might include.

She did say, however, that the type of act described by the person is potentially an offence under the Local Authorities Elections Act (LAEA), sections 149 and potentially 150, which address the integrity of the vote and how a DRO or RO acts at their station.

A deputy returning officer, the act says, can be fined up to $5,000 or given up to two years in jail for these types of offences.

“We take the integrity of the election process very seriously, and as the office that is responsible for carrying out a fair election, it would be certainly a disappointing result,” Baer tells rdnewsNOW. “Because we take it seriously, that is why we are going to undertake an investigation.”

Baer says the investigation may or may not be complete by Friday, Oct. 22, which is when elections results need to be made official. She says that won’t be delayed, adding that any effect the DRO in question may have had on the vote would not have been significant enough to change any of the election standings.

The DRO only worked election day, though Baer wouldn’t say at which polling station.

Baer also says all election employees do a full day of training, including four hours in-person, then another several hours at home. She says that training specifically notes LAEA-related offences.

Whether the worker could face fines or jail time will be announced once the City finishes its own investigation. Baer says the public will be notified.

As of Wednesday. Baer says, the City is not investigating any other alleged improprieties at polling stations.

(rdnewsNOW)