Advance voting for the Alberta referendum will commence on Tuesday and extend until Saturday. Albertans are tasked with providing input on 10 queries related to constitutional matters, immigration, and Alberta’s position within Confederation. Individuals who did not request a mail-in ballot or missed the return deadline can participate in advance voting at the specified location in their electoral district instead of voting on Oct. 19.
To locate the advance polling stations, individuals must cast their votes in their respective electoral districts, each of which is equipped with at least one advance poll. The specifics of voting station locations for the advance polls and Oct. 19 can be accessed through the Elections Alberta searchable database. It is important to note that polling locations may vary between advance voting and referendum day.
According to Elections Alberta spokesperson Michelle Gurney, voters should ensure they bring the appropriate identification to the polling station. Gurney recommends that voters read the ballot questions and contemplate their responses prior to heading to the advance poll to expedite the process. Detailed information regarding the questions and accepted forms of identification can be found on the Elections Alberta website.
Considering the 652,000 requests for special mail-in ballots received by the September 25 deadline, predicting the voter turnout for the advance polls remains uncertain. Gurney advises individuals looking to avoid long queues to visit during non-peak hours such as mid-morning or mid-afternoon if feasible.
For those who missed the mail-in ballot return deadline, Elections Alberta suggested mailing the ballots no later than Oct. 9 to ensure receipt by the 5 p.m. deadline on Oct. 16. Alternatively, individuals can opt for Canada Post Priority Post or Express Post to send in their ballots promptly. If these options are not viable, voting in advance or on voting day is permissible.
Elections Alberta maintains a real-time record of voters to prevent double voting. Gurney emphasized the stringent processes in place to safeguard against voter fraud and reiterated the importance of a live voter registry continuously updated to confirm single voting instances.
Amidst the strong sentiments surrounding the referendum, particularly regarding Alberta’s future within Canada, Gurney stressed the significance of kindness and respect during the voting process. She urged everyone to exhibit kindness towards fellow voters and election workers, emphasizing the collective goal of ensuring every vote counts and every ballot is cast.
