New election rules have cleared the way for Internet and electronic voting, which could come to Alberta as early as 2013.

“Obviously that online voting is something that’s on the forefront of people’s minds … people say, ‘I can do my banking online, but I can’t do my voting online’,” said Brian Fjeldheim, Alberta’s Chief Electoral Officer.

“Once it has been proven to be effective, that the votes can be certified, all that security stuff can be looked after, I certainly see that as something that’s coming. Anything that we can do to make the process more accessible to electors is obviously a good thing.”

The province unveiled a package of election law reforms Thursday. One change would let the CEO recommend new technology for use in byelections. Any experiment would have to be approved by a legislature’s standing committee.

Justice Minister Alison Redford praised online voting and voter registration she’s seen in the U.S.

“There are a number of pretty exciting pieces of work we want to take a look at,” she said.

Elections Canada is planning to pilot online voting, said Fjeldheim, and expects a trial in 2013.

“We’re following along very closely on what Elections Canada is doing on that front,” he said.

He said following suit with an Elections Canada test would be an option.

NDP Leader Brian Mason said he wants to learn more before endorsing online voting.

“I know that the old system of casting and counting paper ballots seems pretty 20th century, but I think I haven’t seen anything I trust more,” he said.

To boost voter turnout, he said making voting mandatory as it is in Australia should be examined.

richard.liebrecht@sunmedia.ca