Siksika First Nation experiences ballot shortage

October 19, 2015. The polling station on the Siksika First Nation ran out of ballots for close to half an hour Monday afternoon before Elections Canada brought more
in. APTN reported that the First Nation received only 400 ballots for 7,200 residents. Elections Canada said the ballot shortage lasted about 15 minutes, but others on the reserve said it was closer to half an hour. An Elections Canada official told the Calgary Herald that the voter turnout in Siksika was higher than expected. However, despite the wait, Bryan Little Chief, who cast
his vote just before the ballot shortage, said everyone stayed to vote. Siksika First Nation is in the riding of Bow River, which elected Conservative Martin Shields with 38,631 votes over second place Liberal William Alexander, who received 6,840 votes, and NDP Lynn MacWilliam, who finished third with 2,619. Ballot shortages were an issue across the country both in advanced polling and on Election Day, including other First Nations, as a result of a much higher turnout than anticipated.