A UCP member is questioning the mail-in leadership voting process after he received two ballots, although the party itself says there are processes in place to prevent both votes from being counted.
Alan Clarke of Morinville told Global News he received his first ballot by mail on April 25 and has already mailed it back completed. However, he then received a second copy.
“I don’t know what to think. This is absolutely ridiculous,” Clarke said. “I don’t understand how this can be a democratic process.”
Clarke said that while he doesn’t intend to mail in the second ballot, he’s still wondering what is happening behind the scenes.
In-party fighting, including public criticism from sitting MLAs, has become more pointed and vocal in recent weeks after the party executive made last-minute changes in March to distribute mail-in ballots rather than hold an in-person vote in a review of Kenney’s leadership.
The UCP told Global News there are processes in place to protect the vote in this exact scenario.
“When you vote by mail in any election, there is a verification process that happens when a completed ballot package is returned,” said UCP spokesperson Dave Prisco.
“The verification stage is overseen by scrutineers, just like it is in a provincial election. Volunteers check the voters’ identification and match it to the voters’ list.
“That is why it is not a concern.”
Prisco added that the party does re-issue ballots if there is something that may have prevented delivery or if a member says they haven’t received theirs yet.
“We err on the side of making sure everyone gets their ballot on time since the verification process prevents somebody from voting twice,” he said.
Premier Jason Kenney addressed the issue on Your Province Your Premier on Saturday as well.
“Whenever I’ve seen the administration of a mail ballot, there’s always a small number of issues like this that occur,” Kenney said. “Sometimes somebody will not get a ballot, they’ll call and ask for a replacement ballot, or — they may not be aware of it — but they have a new membership under a slightly different name or a different address.”
However, for Clarke, who is a lifelong conservative voter, questions remain on how members can trust the process.
“This stinks to high heaven,” he said. “(I’ve) been involved in leadership elections and (this has) never happened.
“I lost all faith in our electoral system. Especially when it comes to (the) UCP.”
Lori Williams, a political science professor with Mount Royal University, said Saturday that she sees why there are questions being asked about the extra ballots.
“It adds to concerns that have already been raised, and a number of concerns that have already been raised about the security of the process, the trustworthiness,” Williams said.
“As these concerns about the integrity of the process proliferate, it becomes more difficult for Mr. Kenney to claim a win,” she said.
Results of the mail-in ballots will be counted from May 11 to 17, and are to be announced May 18.
–With files from The Canadian Press and James Dunn, Corus Radio