Provincial referendum signage regulations

The City of Medicine Hat has received a number of inquiries related to provincial referendum signage. As a municipal government, the City has a limited role in the regulation of any type of provincial election signage. The following information clarifies provincial and municipal governments’ legislated roles for signage regulation ahead of the referendum on October 19, 2026.

The content, size and general location of election or referendum signage are provincially regulated. Municipal governments do not regulate election or referendum signage through local bylaws. The Elections Act prohibits municipal councils from passing a bylaw or resolution respecting election signs or election advertisements.

Municipal involvement is largely restricted to public safety enforcement. While the City of Medicine Hat has a limited role in regulating provincial election signage, it is permitted to remove signage for the following infractions:

• Located on the property of city-owned facilities
• Safety concerns, including, but not limited to:
  • Impeding motorist sight lines
  • The quality of installation
• Interfering with municipal operations

Inquiries related to provincial election signage can be directed to Elections Alberta at info@elections.ab.ca.