Alberta’s Opposition NDP has launched a court challenge to new provincial rules that sharply limit voter information shared with political parties. The application, filed Thursday in Edmonton, argues the policy conflicts with the purpose of a voter list under provincial law and should be struck down.

Published last week, the rules allow Elections Alberta to give parties voter lists showing only the number of voters in each voting area and municipality. Previously, parties received voters’ first and last names, addresses, phone numbers and unique voter identification numbers. The province’s official list is managed by Elections Alberta, which distributes copies to political parties, legislators, election candidates and constituency associations for work such as campaigning and fundraising.

Justice Minister Mickey Amery’s office has described the policy as temporary. It said the limits were intended to better protect Albertans’ private information after a major privacy breach involving a separatist group earlier this year. Amery’s office did not immediately respond to questions about the court challenge.

NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said he is concerned the restrictions could create an opportunity for voter fraud in the Oct. 19 referendum. He said scrutineers overseeing the ballot count would lack the information needed to check whether anyone had voted more than once.

Elections Alberta said last week it will continue using the detailed voter list to manage and track referendum voters, although the new rules limit what information is provided to parties. The challenge concerns the policy governing copies shared with political groups and other recipients under provincial law.

The Canadian Press first published this report on Sept. 25, 2026. It was reported by Jack Farrell.

Based on reporting by CTV News Edmonton.