Longest Ballot Committee
What is longest ballot committee?
Key facts
The Longest Ballot Committee is a Canadian electoral-reform activist group that organizes unusually large numbers of candidates to create very long ballots in federal elections and by-elections, as a protest against the first-past-the-post system and a push for election-law reform through an independent, non-partisan body.
Context
The Longest Ballot Committee is a Canadian electoral-reform activist group that organizes unusually large numbers of candidates to create very long ballots in federal elections and by-elections. It says this is a protest against the first-past-the-post system and a push for election-law reform through an independent, non-partisan body [1]. The committee has been active since 2019, participating in five by-elections and three general elections, targeting eight electoral districts [2]. Its activities have led to ballots stretching over a meter long and delays in vote tabulation [4]. The committee has also testified before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs [3].
Documented claims
- The committee has been involved in five by-elections and three general elections since 2019. [2]
- Elections Canada used adapted ballots when traditional ballots could not accommodate the number of candidates. [2]
- In fall 2024, the Chief Electoral Officer recommended limiting electors to signing only one candidate’s nomination papers. [2]
- The committee testified before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. [3]
Questions and answers
What is the Longest Ballot Committee?
It is a Canadian activist group that organizes many candidates to create long ballots as a protest against first-past-the-post voting and to advocate for electoral reform [1].
When was the Longest Ballot Committee formed?
It was formed in 2021 [1].
How many candidates did the committee field in the 2024-09-16 election?
It fielded 91 candidates in that election [2].
Sources
- Longest ballot evolution – CEO appearance on the Actions ... — elections.ca (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- PROC (45-1) - No. 5 - House of Commons of Canada — ourcommons.ca (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- To stop long ballot protests, MP committee calls on ... — cbc.ca (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- STOP THE LONG BALLOT COMMITTEE IN CANADA — change.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)