Richard Daniel Balasko

Experienced senior electoral management consultant specializing in elections, campaign finance, redistribution, legislation, planning, policy, research and democratic development. Professional Summary: • 20 years as Chief Electoral Officer, Senior Deputy Minister, Province of Manitoba, Canada. • 30 years in electoral management at the provincial and federal levels in Canada. • Accountable for the conduct of 5 provincial general elections. • Accountable for annual and election related regulation of campaign finance. • Member of Electoral Boundaries Commissions in 2008 and 1998 and Secretary to provincial boundaries commissions in 1988 and 1978. • Mission leader, member or trainer in nearly one dozen international assistance and observation missions including Europe, Asia, Central America and the Caribbean. • Independent of government and political organizations. Areas of Expertise and Experience: • Election preparation, conduct and evaluation. • Annual and election period campaign finance regulation and political entity compliance assistance. • Electoral boundaries redistribution. • Civic engagement including curriculum based civic education. • Legislative drafting including the complete rewrite of The Elections Act. • Strategic and operational planning and policy writing. • Research including dozens of recommendations for legislative amendment of election, campaign finance and redistribution statutes enacted into law. • Numerous presentations and papers at Parliamentary and Legislative Committees, professional associations and academic conferences and meetings. • Experienced workshop leader and trainer. Education: • Completed Ph. D. course work in International Relations and Canadian Politics at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, 1991. • Master of Arts in Canadian Politics and International Relations at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, 1984. • Bachelor of Arts University of Manitoba, 1976.

Thematic Areas of Expertise