To the people and Government of Alberta:

We write as Albertans who are scholars of politics, law, public administration, and democratic governance to express our serious concern regarding the potential misuse of Alberta’s List of Electors.

At the heart of any democracy lies an essential promise: that elections are conducted fairly, securely, without unfair advantage to any group, and within the bounds of the law.

As the authoritative record of who may participate in elections and referendums, the voters list is fundamental to this commitment. Its integrity is inseparable from the integrity of democracy itself. Unauthorized use of the list raises serious concerns about privacy, accessibility, political intimidation, foreign interference, and fairness.

Even the perception that voters’ personal information is being used for unauthorized purposes is enough to erode public confidence. In a political environment already marked by polarization and declining trust, such doubts can have lasting consequences: discouraging participation, deepening cynicism, and weakening the legitimacy of election and referendum outcomes.

That's why the recent breach involving the provincial voters list is so worrisome. Allegations that Albertans’ personal information may have been mishandled, accessed improperly, or used in ways beyond its intended purpose raise profound questions that go beyond the reach of normal investigations. Albertans deserve........

© National Observer