Conservative Party leadership candidates can expect that 鈥渨ell over鈥� 600,000 members will place a vote to decide who among them should take over the party鈥檚 top post, executive director Wayne Benson says.
In a statement released Thursday, Benson said the six candidates were informed of the record-shattering membership numbers but noted the voter list is subject to change.
鈥淲e can鈥檛 stress enough, however, that this number is likely to change as there are many remaining steps that the party needs to complete, including internal verification and processing, the preparation of a preliminary voters list, a challenge period for leadership campaigns and the finalization of a national voters list no later than July 29,鈥� said Benson.
During the 2020 leadership race, the party counted 269,469 eligible voters.
鈥淐anadians are joining the Conservative Party of Canada in record numbers because they want to change from a Justin Trudeau-Jagmeet Singh alliance that is making everything more expensive for everyone 鈥� especially workers, families and seniors,鈥� he said.
Benson said preparations are underway to ensure a smooth voting process given the boost. Ballot packages are expected to be sent to all eligible voters in late July, early August and completed ballots must be received in Ottawa no later than Sept. 6.
Voters will elect a new leader on Sept. 10.
Pierre Poilievre鈥檚 campaign and has called on the party鈥檚 leadership committee to publicly release the total membership numbers of each campaign. Patrick Brown, who says he has signed up 150,000 members, has pushed for the same.
Benson, in his statement, said consistent with the 2017 and 2020 leadership elections, the party will not be confirming transaction numbers by individual campaigns.
Five of six candidates are also pushing for a third official debate before the vote.
The first official English debate was held on May 11 in Edmonton, Alta. and the first official French debate was held on May 25 in Laval, Que. Candidates also faced off in an unofficial debate on May 5 hosted by the Canada Strong and Free Network.
Benson told CTVNews.ca a decision has not yet been made about hosting another official debate.
