The impact of the 2023 wildfires on subnational elections in Canada

This case study examines the effects of natural hazards on Election Management Bodies and the administration of elections by drawing on the example of two Canadian jurisdictions. In the summer of 2023, wildfires affected much of Canada, with major cities under the haze of smoke, and towns evacuated from coast to coast.

For the Canadian province of Alberta and one of the country’s territories, the Northwest Territories, wildfires occurred during the time of general (subnational) elections, posing significant challenges for their administration and access to ballots. By documenting their election experiences during the exogenous shocks, the case study outlines lessons learned for practitioners and scholars to better prepare and respond in an age where natural hazards are becoming more frequent and intense.