Alberta Election writ drop today? April 2 Election Day ?

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Slava

Kind of defeats the "old boys club argument" regardless of what you think of the party.

That is true.

It also kinda kills the "experienced, steady hand on the tiller" argument also though.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by First Lady

Cindy Ady
Ken Allred
Carl Benito
Lindsay Blackett
Doug Elinski
Iris Evans
George Groeneveld
Broyce Jacobs
Art Johnston
Ken Kowalski
Ron Liepert
Fred Lindsay
Richard Marz
Barry McFarland
Mel Knight
Rob Renner
Lloyd Snelgrove
Ed Stelmach
Janice Tarchuk

Plus -
Raj Sherman
Rob Anderson
Guy Boutilier
and Heather Forsyth

That make 24 of the 72 MLA's elected 4 years ago gone, a full 1/3rd.

Wonder if there will be more?

[GP_Matt]

Originally Posted by First Lady

MLA Hector Goudreau resigns as head of policy committee after “threatening” letter


You can see a copy of the letter here.

Lots of shifting going on today.

I wonder if that letter was a threat to get the local board to stop complaining or actually a word of caution advising her that there are those within the party that would be petty enough to delay a new school to punish a few people for speaking out.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Jacks

That is true.

It also kinda kills the "experienced, steady hand on the tiller" argument also though.

That depends on what you consider as experienced. I prefer a premier that has actualy been an MLA, and maybe has more public service than a failed term as a school board trustee, but to each their own. Maybe someone who can complete the term of office that were elected to do? I would want a governing party to have actual experience being MLAs and that sort of thing, but I'm probably too discerning.

[GP_Matt]

By your logic, only the PC's are fit to govern but maybe if one of the other parties won 30 or so seats they would be acceptable in the next election. Or would they require a few terms as a strong minority before they can govern?

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Slava

That depends on what you consider as experienced. I prefer a premier that has actualy been an MLA, and maybe has more public service than a failed term as a school board trustee, but to each their own. Maybe someone who can complete the term of office that were elected to do? I would want a governing party to have actual experience being MLAs and that sort of thing, but I'm probably too discerning.

Since Raj doesn't fit that description I assume you are voting PC then?

I know, I know ... he was kicked out, he didn't quit the party.

[Slava]

I actually don't know who I'll vote for yet. I just know that because of the situation in Alberta its true that electing enough opposition MLAs to suddenly form government would be very concerning. That applies to any of the parties, although at least the Liberals have a few MLAs who have been there for years. To me that has nothing to do with ideology either, it's just not my preference to have a bunch of inexperienced people running things.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Since Raj doesn't fit that description I assume you are voting PC then?

I know, I know ... he was kicked out, he didn't quit the party.

That and at least he's been an MLA, sat in the house and that sort of thing.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Slava

I actually don't know who I'll vote for yet. I just know that because of the situation in Alberta its true that electing enough opposition MLAs to suddenly form government would be very concerning. That applies to any of the parties, although at least the Liberals have a few MLAs who have been there for years. To me that has nothing to do with ideology either, it's just not my preference to have a bunch of inexperienced people running things.

Lougheed went from 10 to 49; lots of newbies then. The province survived.


.. guess no election call today. Darn I wish we truly had a fixed elections DATE.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by First Lady

Lougheed went from 10 to 49; lots of newbies then. The province survived.


.. guess no election call today. Darn I wish we truly had a fixed elections DATE.

Well I suppose there is hope for Raj yet.

What's the fixation with fixed dates? We know it's coming, so it really wouldn't change anything at this point. Basically everyone running is campaigning as if the writ was dropped, so what difference would a fixed date make?

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Slava

Well I suppose there is hope for Raj yet.

What's the fixation with fixed dates? We know it's coming, so it really wouldn't change anything at this point. Basically everyone running is campaigning as if the writ was dropped, so what difference would a fixed date make?

Money spent.

Just one small example.... having to rent campaign office for 3 months instead of 1.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by First Lady

Money spent.

Just one small example.... having to rent campaign office for 3 months instead of 1.

Meh. That's the cost of democracy. If we *knew* the date was april 16th chances are you rent an office for March 1 anyway. It's really not a big deal.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Slava

Meh. That's the cost of democracy. If we *knew* the date was april 16th chances are you rent an office for March 1 anyway. It's really not a big deal.

As it stands our local candidate rented an office in February and election "could" be as late at May 31st. It's about not giving (those in power) an unfair advantage.

Geez, I though even you would (could) be on side with something like this.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by First Lady

As it stands our local candidate rented an office in February and election "could" be as late at May 31st. It's about not giving (those in power) an unfair advantage.

Geez, I though even you would (could) be on side with something like this.

It's just such a non-issue for me. There are other inadequacies in the electoral system I would want to see fixed far ahead of set election dates. Campaign spending limits and fair distribution of ridings being two examples that would do far more to level the playing field.

Fixed dates and recall are two policies that just do nothing for me. I'm not so much against them as I am just ambivalent. I don't see the efficacy at all, and dare I say that I think it's good that candidates are out working for our votes early! Maybe more people will be contacted and voter turnout will go up.

[Jacks]

Not only that but I can tell you first hand that Elections Alberta has already been instructed to have polling stations set up for February. This includes renting the space, furniture, etc. as well as paying money to the officers in charge of the poll. They are just sitting in a holding pattern, paying rent, until Redford decides to get off the pot.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Not only that but I can tell you first hand that Elections Alberta has already been instructed to have polling stations set up for February. This includes renting the space, furniture, etc. as well as paying money to the officers in charge of the poll. They are just sitting in a holding pattern, paying rent, until Redford decides to get off the pot.

How much are we talking about here?

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Slava

It's just such a non-issue for me. There are other inadequacies in the electoral system I would want to see fixed far ahead of set election dates. Campaign spending limits and fair distribution of ridings being two examples that would do far more to level the playing field.

Fixed dates and recall are two policies that just do nothing for me. I'm not so much against them as I am just ambivalent. I don't see the efficacy at all, and dare I say that I think it's good that candidates are out working for our votes early! Maybe more people will be contacted and voter turnout will go up.

Candidates would be out early in either scenario. Fixed dates could actually help turnout too; people could plan around it.

Never mind the fact that candidates, campaign managers, some volunteers could plan their leave of absence from work better as well.

[Jacks]

I have no idea what it all adds up to but that is only the expenses that I know about, who knows what other costs there are.

[Slava]

Like I say, I just don't care. Put a fixed date in, or don't.

Why do I get the impression that if the PCs had picked a date that the Wildrose would be upset that they picked the wrong one?

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Not only that but I can tell you first hand that Elections Alberta has already been instructed to have polling stations set up for February. This includes renting the space, furniture, etc. as well as paying money to the officers in charge of the poll. They are just sitting in a holding pattern, paying rent, until Redford decides to get off the pot.

For the first time in history all Returning Officers and DRO are in place in advance of the election.

http://www.elections.ab.ca/Public%20...tacts_2012.pdf

This was due to the change in legislation that allows the Chief Electoral Officer hire directly; rather than getting referrals from governing party right around the writ drop.

I think this should have a huge impact on how smoothly things will go on E-day.