More than 50 days are left before the upcoming referendum in Alberta on October 19, and Elections Alberta has reported a significant surge in requests for mail-in voting compared to previous elections. As of Tuesday, over 175,000 requests for special ballots have been received, which is nearly three times the number of special ballots requested for the 2023 provincial election and more than double the amount before the 2019 election.
The referendum this fall will feature 10 questions covering various topics, including immigration, the Constitution, and the possibility of a second binding referendum on separation for Alberta. The elimination of the province’s “Vote Anywhere” system has contributed to the increased demand for special ballots. Previously, voters could cast their ballots at any voting station during advanced voting, but recent changes to the Elections Act have ended this system, expanding special ballot eligibility to more voters.
Applications for special ballots opened in July and will remain open until September 25 for all eligible electors. Elections Alberta will start mailing out special ballots on September 1, and these ballots must be returned by mail before 5 p.m. on October 16. Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure suggested that some Albertans may opt for mail-in voting to have extra time to review the 10 referendum questions carefully.
Political scientist Lori Williams from Mount Royal University noted the complexity of the referendum questions, with over 400 words in total, which could lead to longer wait times at polling stations due to voter confusion. Hence, interest in mail-in ballots is expected to continue rising as discussions regarding the referendum intensify in the coming months.
To secure a special ballot, individuals can complete an online form on Elections Alberta’s website, send an email, or contact the returning office for their electoral division starting September 21. Advance voting will take place from October 13 to 17, with voting locations open on October 19 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
