Elections Alberta has issued 568 cease-and-desist letters to individuals who accessed a public, searchable database containing the personal information of millions of voters. Alberta chief electoral officer Gordon McClure issued the formal demands to halt allegedly unlawful activity on Wednesday night.
The letters were targeted at 23 people identified by the Centurion Project, a separatist group, as having received a voters list. An additional 545 people were issued letters after being identified as having accessed the database.
Those who were provided the list are required to submit a signed declaration of compliance within 48 hours. The database in question featured the names, addresses, and voter registration details of nearly three million people.
Legal Actions and Court Proceedings
A temporary injunction was granted last week against the Centurion Project and the Republican Party of Alberta. This order required the database to be taken down and mandated that Centurion Project officials provide the names of everyone who accessed the information.
The injunction also prohibits the Republican Party from sharing any electoral list with unauthorized users. The legal battle is expected to return to the Court of King’s Bench in late July for a special hearing regarding a permanent injunction.
During a brief hearing in Edmonton on Thursday, Elections Alberta lawyer Joseph Redman requested an adjournment to allow all parties time to prepare arguments and file affidavits. Justice Thomas Rothwell granted the request.
Investigation and Political Fallout
An investigation by Elections Alberta found that the database was populated using an official voter list legitimately obtained by the pro-independence Republican Party of Alberta. It remains unclear how the list was transferred to the Centurion Project.
The database is currently under investigation by both Elections Alberta and the Alberta RCMP. Diane McLeod, the information and privacy commissioner of Alberta, is also reviewing the matter.
Centurion Project leader David Parker defended the database, likening it to a phone book. He stated the tool was intended for volunteers to search for friends and acquaintances while canvassing for supporters.
Government Response
The breach has caused significant friction within Alberta’s political landscape. The United Conservative Party caucus confirmed that staff attended an online meeting hosted by the Centurion Project last month, though the caucus stated staff believed the data presented was legally obtained.
Premier Danielle Smith stated she only became aware of the breach through media reports last week. She noted she learned of the meeting—where Parker demonstrated the database by searching for former premier Jason Kenney’s name—after the NDP made the information public.
Premier Smith has called for those responsible to be “held accountable under the law.” The incident has led to calls for a public inquiry and legislative changes to enhance the protection of voter lists.
Potential Next Steps
The legal proceedings in late July could result in a permanent injunction against the Centurion Project and the Republican Party of Alberta. Depending on the findings of the Alberta RCMP and Elections Alberta, further legal actions against those who accessed the data may be possible.
Legislative bodies may consider new laws to close the privacy gaps identified by the information and privacy commissioner, which could potentially extend oversight to political parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were issued cease-and-desist letters? A total of 568 Albertans were issued letters; 23 for receiving the list and 545 for accessing it. What information was exposed in the database? The database included the names, addresses, and voter registration details of nearly three million people. Who is the Centurion Project? The Centurion Project is described as a separatist group.
Do you believe current privacy laws provide enough protection for voter information?
