Alberta's Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi is voicing worries that the recent choice to refrain from mailing voter registration cards, due to the ongoing Canada Post strike, could negatively impact participation in the Lethbridge-West provincial by-election set for December 18. In a letter directed to Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure, Nenshi highlighted that these cards are crucial for facilitating access to voting and democracy.

Premier Danielle Smith recently announced the by-election to fill the vacancy created by former NDP MLA Shannon Phillips's resignation on July 1. Nenshi had been pressing Smith to call the by-election, noting that both candidates from the NDP and the governing United Conservative Party have been ready since September. In light of the Canada Post strike, Alberta Elections has informed voters that "Where to Vote" cards will not be distributed and has cautioned that voters opting for special ballots may need to find alternative submission methods, such as using a courier service.

The Alberta NDP is advocating for Elections Alberta to enhance its voter outreach initiatives, which could encompass a range of tactics like billboards, road signs in the area, radio advertisements, and a comprehensive phone and text campaign to engage voters. In his letter, Nenshi pointed out that these by-elections typically experience lower turnout, and that scheduling an election in December, close to major holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah, could exacerbate the situation.

Nenshi emphasized that it is crucial for Elections Alberta to take measures to prevent low turnout by ensuring voters are aware of when and where to vote. While he acknowledged that the agency's plan to utilize social media and run ads in the Lethbridge Herald is a step in the right direction, he criticized it as insufficient, particularly for seniors who may be less inclined to seek information online.

The outcome of the upcoming by-election will not shift the balance of power in the legislature, where the United Conservative Party holds 49 seats against the NDP's 37. The NDP candidate Rob Miyashiro has previous experience as a Lethbridge city councillor and had contested and lost to Nathan Neudorf in the last provincial election. His opponent, John Middleton-Hope, is a current Lethbridge city councillor and a former police chief.

In her response to Nenshi’s previous calls for the by-election announcement, Premier Smith questioned why Nenshi has not identified a riding to contest since taking on the party leadership in June, to which Nenshi indicated a preference for running in Calgary instead of Lethbridge-West for the sake of convenience.