More than 50 days are left before the October 19 referendum in the province, but Elections Alberta reports a significant increase in requests for mail-in voting compared to previous elections. As of Tuesday, Elections Alberta has already received over 175,000 requests for special ballots, a substantial rise from the 59,589 special ballots requested in the 2023 provincial election, which itself was more than double the number requested in the 2019 election.
This fall, the province will present 10 questions for the referendum vote. These questions cover various topics such as immigration, the Constitution, and the possibility of holding a second binding referendum on separation in Alberta.
The surge in special ballot demand can be attributed in part to the discontinuation of the province’s “Vote Anywhere” system. Electors can no longer cast their ballots at any voting station in Alberta during the advanced voting period due to recent changes in the Elections Act. However, the eligibility for special ballots has been expanded to accommodate more voters.
Applications to vote by special ballot opened in July and will continue until September 25 for all eligible electors. Elections Alberta will begin mailing out special ballots on September 1, and electors must return their special ballot packages by mail before 5 p.m. on October 16.
Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure mentioned in July that some Albertans may opt for mail-in voting to allow for extra time to review the 10 referendum questions thoroughly. Political scientist Lori Williams from Mount Royal University also noted the complexity of the questions and the potential for longer wait times at polling stations due to voter confusion, which may further drive interest in mail-in ballots.
Williams emphasized the importance of the referendum for the future of Alberta and Canada, predicting a heightened interest in mail-in ballots as discussions around the referendum intensify. To obtain 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 is scheduled from October 13 to 17, with voting locations open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on October 19.