These reports contain new and deregistered riding associations, party executives and contact information, donations to parties, changes to electors data, election cost by riding and as a whole, the names of returning officers are among the information in annual reports.

The commission collects input from residents and politicians, then draws up the divisions based on enumeration and census data.

The government contended that the increase was necessary to deter frivolous candidacies, encourage timely filing of financial statements, and help pay for Elections Alberta's expenses.

Some smaller parties argue that an excessively high deposit represents an unacceptable "user fee" on democracy.

The other half of the deposit is refunded if the candidate files the required financial statements with Elections Alberta within the prescribed time frame, regardless of how many votes they receive.

A change in legislation in 2010 led to the deposit being fully refundable to candidates who file their post-election financial report on time.

The winners of the April 23, 2012 Senate nominee election were all Progressive Conservative Party candidates, Doug Black, Scott Tannas, and Mike Shaikh.