The by-election features Conservative candidate Pierre Poilievrew, Liberal candidate Darcy Spady, the NDP’s Katherine Swampy and Independent Bonnie Critchley. Share Save for later Please log in to bookmark this story. Log In Create Free Account

Advance polls in a historic federal by-election for Alberta’s Battle River-Crowfoot open today.

For the first time ever, Elections Canada says voters must fill out a blank ballot .

The agency lists a record 214 candidates running in the rural riding, with voting day on Aug. 18.

The majority are part of the Longest Ballot Committee , a protest group calling for various changes to Canada’s electoral system.

Prime Minister Mark Carney called the by-election in June after Conservative Damien Kurek, who handily won the s

See Full Page