Modernizing the Electoral Process – Recommendations from the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada following the 37th general election

Table of Contents

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• Introduction
  
  
• Part 1: Providing a More Accessible and Efficient Electoral Process
  
  
• Chapter 1: Ensuring that Every Elector is Registered
  
  
  • Background on the National Register of Electors and the Lists of Electors
    
    
  • Recommendations Respecting the Registration Process
    
    
    • 1.1.1 Signed Certification of Eligibility for Registration on National Register of Electors
    • 1.1.2 Revision of Register on Initiative of the Chief Electoral Officer
      
      
  • Recommendations Respecting the Lists of Electors
    
    
    • 1.1.3 Notice of Confirmation of Registration (Voter Information Card)
    • 1.1.4 Allowing Returning Officers to Update Lists on the Basis of Information from the Chief Electoral Officer
    • 1.1.5 Inter-District Changes of Address
    • 1.1.6 Proof of Identity on Requested Change of Address on List
    • 1.1.7 Authority of Deputy Returning Officer to Verify Eligibility
      
      
• Chapter 2: Ensuring that Every Vote Counts
  
  
  • 1.2.1 Same Names on Ballot
  • 1.2.2 Option to Decline Ballot
  • 1.2.3 Deadline to Obtain Transfer Certificate
  • 1.2.4 Time Frames for Special Voting Rules
  • 1.2.5 Requiring Affidavit When Another Person Has Already Voted in Elector's Name
    
    
• Part 2: Greater Accessibility for Candidates and Political Parties
  
  
• Chapter 1: Enhancing Candidates' Participation
  
  
  • Nomination
  • 2.1.1 Signatures of Nominating Electors
  • 2.1.2 Requirement for Witness to File Papers and Swear Oath
  • 2.1.3 Candidate's Consent Under Oath to Run
  • 2.1.4 Period to Confirm Nomination
  • 2.1.5 Candidate's Deposit
  • 2.1.6 Party Filing of Candidate's Deposit
  • 2.1.7 Party Filing of Leader's Endorsement of Candidate
  • 2.1.8 Equal Opportunity to Be a Candidate
    
    
• Chapter 2: Enhancing Political Parties' Participation
  
  
  • 2.2.1 Status of Eligible Party
  • 2.2.2 Distribution of Lists of Electors
    
    
• Part 3: The Use of Public Monies to Advance Access and Accountability
  
  
• Chapter 1: Public Monies to Advance Access
  
  
  • 3.1.1 Reimbursement of Candidates' Expenses
    • 3.1.1.1 Qualification Threshold for Candidates' Reimbursement
      
      
  • 3.1.2 Issue of Tax Receipts by Registered Parties for Pre-Registration Contributions
  • 3.1.3 Disposition of Surplus Funds of Independent Candidates
    
    
• Chapter 2: Public Monies to Advance Accountability
  
  
  • 3.2.1 Auditor Acting for More than One Candidate
  • 3.2.2 Free the Payment of Auditor's Fees from Requirement for Unqualified Report
  • 3.2.3 Amount of Public Payment of a Candidate's Auditor Fees
  • 3.2.4 Public Payment of a Portion of a Party's Auditor Fees
    
    
• Part 4: Ensuring Fair Competition – Broadcasting
  
  
  • Political Broadcasting
  • 4.1.1 Sever Free and Paid Time Regimes
  • 4.1.2 Broadcasting Rights Restricted to Registered Parties
  • 4.1.3 Free Time Regime
  • 4.1.4 Paid Time Regime
  • 4.1.5 Election Opinion Surveys
    
    
• Part 5: Transparency in Election Financing
  
  
• Chapter 1: Financial Disclosure
  
  
  • 5.1.1 Preventing Contributions Intended to Hide the Identity of the Original Source
  • 5.1.2 Reporting Conditions on Loans
  • 5.1.3 Reporting Transfers from Provincial Political Entities
  • 5.1.4 More Accurate Reporting of Source of Indirect Contributions Through Local Electoral District Associations and Trust Funds
  • 5.1.5 Threshold for Reporting Contributions
    
    
• Chapter 2: Streamlining and Clarifying the Reporting Requirements for Candidates
  
  
  • 5.2.1 No Bank Account Required if No Financial Transactions Other than Payment of Deposit
  • 5.2.2 Removal of the Requirement for a Witness to the Official Agent, Chief Agent and Candidate Declarations Accompanying the Return
  • 5.2.3 Clarification of the Nature of the Candidate's Declaration of Personal Expenses
  • 5.2.4 Clarification of Responsibilities of the Official Agent and the Candidate for Filing the Campaign Report and Their Exposure to Penalties
  • 5.2.5 Vouchers
  • 5.2.6 Receipt and Reporting of Contributions Made After Election Day
    
    
• Chapter 3: Deadlines for the Filing of Returns
  
  
  • 5.3.1 Evidence Required to Support Application to the Chief Electoral Officer to Extend Filing Deadlines or to Make Corrections or File Updated Documents
  • 5.3.2 Deadlines Respecting Applications to Judge
  • 5.3.3 Party Failure to File Return
    
    
• Chapter 4: The Problem of Unregulated Contributions
  
  
  • 5.4.1 Regulatory Controls upon Contributions – A Necessary Counterpart to Disclosure
    
    
• Part 6: Effectively Enforcing the Electoral System
  
  
  • 6.1 A General 'Attempt' Offence
  • 6.2 Collusion
  • 6.3 Investigative Status for the Commissioner of Canada Elections
  • 6.4 Appeal Rights of the Commissioner of Canada Elections
  • 6.5 Obstruction of Investigations
  • 6.6 Failure to Return Ballot
    
    
• Part 7: Managing the Electoral Process
  
  
  • 7.1 Appointment of Returning Officers
  • 7.2 The Office of Assistant Chief Electoral Officer
  • 7.3 Appointment of Revising Agents
  • 7.4 Appointment of Deputy Returning Officers and Poll Clerks
  • 7.5 Leave of Absence to Be a Deputy Returning Officer or Poll Clerk
  • 7.6 Posting Names and Addresses of Deputy Returning Officers and Poll Clerks
  • 7.7 Location of Returning Office
  • 7.8 Election Officers at Advance Polls
  • 7.9 Criteria for Appointment of Central Poll Supervisors
  • 7.10 Authority of a Judge to Summon Witnesses for Recount
  • 7.11 Assistance of Elections Canada Officials with Recount
  • 7.12 Greater Flexibility Respecting the Tariff of Fees
  • 7.13 Political Rights of Staff of Elections Canada
  • 7.14 The Right to Strike of Elections Canada Staff
    
    
• Part 8: Extending the Application of the Canada Elections Act
  
  
  • 8.1 Extending the Disclosure Obligations of the Act
    • 8.1.1 Reporting the Original Source of Contributions Received by Candidates from Political Trust Funds
    • 8.1.2 Reporting by Electoral District Associations
    • 8.1.3 Reporting the Finances of Contestants for Party Endorsement
    • 8.1.4 Reporting the Finances of Contestants for Party Leadership
      
      
  • 8.2 Surpluses in Leadership and Nomination Contests
    
    
• List of Appendices
  
  
  • Appendix 1 – Projected Impact of Lowered Threshold for Candidates' Reimbursement, Based on the November 2000 General Election
  • Appendix 2 – Illustration of Recommended Party Status
  • Appendix 3 – Summary of Contributions to Candidates, by Political Affiliation – 37th General Election
  • Appendix 4 – Summary of Contributions, by Registered Political Party – Fiscal 2000
    
    
• Summary of the Chief Electoral Officer's Recommendations to Parliament
  
  
  • Part 1: Providing a More Accessible and Efficient Electoral Process
  • Part 2: Greater Accessibility for Candidates and Political Parties
  • Part 3: The Use of Public Monies to Advance Access and Accountability
  • Part 4: Ensuring Fair Competition – Broadcasting
  • Part 5: Transparency in Election Financing
  • Part 6: Effectively Enforcing the Electoral System
  • Part 7: Managing the Electoral Process
  • Part 8: Extending the Application of the Canada Elections Act
    
    
• Endnotes

 

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