The Longest Ballot Committee: A Closer Look at Electoral Reform Through Protest Candidacies

An example of a ballot for the riding of Carleton, showing the names of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Liberal Party of Canada candidate Bruce Fanjoy, is seen at the Elections Canada Distribution Centre on the day of the federal election in Ottawa on April 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS by Justin Tang

Recent Canadian elections have featured unusually long ballots, some exceeding 90 candidates, garnering public attention and logistical challenges. Behind these record-setting ballots is a legally grounded protest movement known as the Longest Ballot Committee (LBC). Rather than seeking political power, this grassroots initiative leverages existing electoral laws to question the design and effectiveness of Canada’s voting system.

What Is the Longest Ballot Committee?

Founded in 2021, the Longest Ballot Committee is a non-partisan group that uses mass candidacy as a form of symbolic protest. The group nominates large numbers of independent candidates during federal by-elections and general elections—not to win seats, but to highlight concerns with Canada’s first-past-the-post (FPTP) voting system.

First-Past-the-Post System Explained

Under the FPTP model, the candidate with the most votes in a riding wins—even if they receive less than 50% of the vote. Critics argue this can result in "majority governments" elected with minority public support, and votes that do not translate into representation.

The LBC aims to provoke public reflection on whether this electoral model continues to serve democratic goals.

Notable LBC-Inspired Elections

The LBC’s efforts have made headlines across Canada for increasing ballot lengths and voter choice, while testing the system’s administrative limits.

• 2022 Mississauga—Lakeshore By-election33 LBC-nominated independents contributed to a 40-name ballot, setting a then-record. Wikipedia – Longest Ballot Committee

• 2023 Winnipeg South Centre By-electionFeatured 48 candidates, many of whom were LBC affiliates.

• 2024 Toronto—St. Paul’s By-electionA nearly one-metre-long ballot included 84 candidates—77 nominated by the LBC. One candidate, Félix-Antoine Hamel, a musician from Montreal, received no votes as he resided outside the riding, emphasizing the symbolic nature of his candidacy. The Guardian – Zero Vote Candidacy

• 2025 Carleton Federal Election91 candidates appeared on the ballot in a contest involving the Conservative Party leader. This tied the all-time federal record. Ottawa CityNews

  
  

These actions have initiated broader discussions about ballot design, voter experience, and the balance between openness and operational feasibility.

Legal Basis: How Is This Allowed?

The activities of the Longest Ballot Committee are fully permitted under the Canada Elections Act, which outlines who may run for federal office:

• Eligibility: Any Canadian citizen aged 18 or older can run.

• Nomination: A candidate must collect at least 100 valid elector signatures in the riding (50 in rural areas).

• No Intent to Serve Requirement: The Act does not require that candidates intend to serve if elected, nor does it restrict "symbolic" or "protest" candidacies.

Deposit Requirement Struck Down in 2017

Previously, a $1,000 deposit was required to appear on a federal ballot. This was eliminated after Szuchewycz v. Canada (Attorney General), 2017 ABQB 645, where the court found the deposit violated Section 3 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees the right to vote and stand for office.

Following this ruling, Elections Canada removed the deposit requirement, significantly lowering the financial barrier to candidacy. News Release – Deposit Removal.

Institutional Response and Proposed Reforms

As long ballots became more frequent, Canada's Chief Electoral Officer proposed legislative amendments to prevent logistical strain and electoral confusion. These proposals include:

• Reviewing candidate eligibility standards

• Limiting ballot length through procedural changes

• Enhancing public education on voting systems

  
  

While no formal legislation has yet been adopted, these proposals aim to balance the right to candidacy with electoral efficiency.Modernization Proposal – Elections Canada

Broader Questions Raised

While the LBC’s tactics remain lawful, they prompt broader discussions around:

• What constitutes meaningful democratic participation?

• Should electoral systems be designed to encourage fewer or more candidates?

• How can public institutions preserve accessibility while maintaining operational feasibility?

  
  

These are legal and policy questions best addressed through public consultation, parliamentary debate, and informed civic engagement.

Public Resources for Learning or Action

For individuals or organizations interested in understanding Canada's electoral system or contributing to reform efforts, the following non-partisan resources may be helpful:

Educational Resources

• Elections Canada – Electoral System Facts

• Library of Parliament – Electoral Systems and Reform in Canada

  
  

Civic Engagement and Reform

• Fair Vote Canada: Non-partisan group advocating for proportional representation

• Democracy Watch: Focuses on government accountability and democratic reform

• Parliament of Canada – Petitions: Submit or sign petitions calling for changes to electoral laws

  
  
  
  

  
  

The Longest Ballot Committee exemplifies how citizens can use existing legal frameworks to question and test the systems that govern them. While not a conventional political movement, the LBC's activities fall squarely within Canadian law and reflect a broader interest in electoral system reform.

Their approach may generate debate, but it also reinforces a fundamental democratic principle: participation, even in symbolic forms, is protected by law—and often vital to public dialogue.

Bibliography

1. Canada Elections Act – Justice Laws Website

2. Szuchewycz v. Canada (AG), 2017 ABQB 645 – Case Summary (CanLII)

3. Elections Canada News Release – Deposit Requirement Removed

4. Chief Electoral Officer Proposal – Modernizing Canada's Electoral Law

5. Wikipedia – Longest Ballot Committee

6. The Guardian – Zero Vote Protest

7. Ottawa CityNews – 91 Candidates in Carleton

Sources

Canada Elections Act (Justice Laws Website)https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/E-2.01/

News Release – Prospective candidates no longer required to pay deposit (Elections Canada, 2017) https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?dir=pre&document=nov0817&lang=e&section=med

Chief Electoral Officer's 2022 Proposal – Modernizing Canada's Electoral Law https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?dir=pre&document=jun0722&lang=e&section=med

Ottawa CityNews – Why are 91 candidates running in Pierre Poilievre’s riding? https://ottawa.citynews.ca/2025/05/07/why-are-91-candidates-running-in-pierre-poilievres-riding-8659514

CityNews Toronto – Longest Ballot group declares victory in Poilievre's former riding amid criticism https://toronto.citynews.ca/2025/05/07/longest-ballot-victory-carleton-poilievre/

Yahoo News Canada – Elections chief proposes rule changes to discourage 'longest ballot' protests https://ca.news.yahoo.com/elections-chief-proposes-rule-changes-210000319.html

The Guardian – Canadian man makes history after receiving zero election votes https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jun/24/canadian-man-makes-history-after-receiving-zero-election-votes

Wikipedia – Longest Ballot Committee (with cross-checked data from original sources) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longest_Ballot_Committee