Albertans are gearing up for a significant referendum on Monday, where they will have the opportunity to weigh in on 10 key questions shaping the future of the province. Elections Alberta has reported that a substantial 1.3 million voters have already participated through special ballots or advance polls.
The referendum comprises 10 pivotal questions, with the first nine focusing on immigration and the Constitution. The tenth question specifically inquires whether voters support Alberta remaining a province within Canada or advocate for the initiation of a second, binding referendum on separation.
For those planning to vote on the day of the referendum, it is essential to be aware of the voting process. Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. province-wide. Unlike advance voting, voters must cast their ballots at their assigned polling stations. If unsure of the designated location, individuals can easily find it by entering their address on Elections Alberta’s website.
To be eligible to vote, individuals must be over 18 years old and residents of Alberta. It is necessary to bring a government-issued photo ID containing their address, such as a driver’s license, or two pieces of identification, one of which must have an address. An attestation form from an authorized signatory is also acceptable.
In the event of long lines at polling stations, voters in line before the 8 p.m. closing time will still be allowed to vote. The location will remain open until everyone in line has had the chance to cast their ballots.
For those uncertain about the status of their special ballots, Elections Alberta had received over 600,000 special ballot requests and advised individuals to post them by October 9 to meet the October 16 deadline. If a mail-in ballot was not received by the deadline or was not mailed in after application, voters can still participate in the referendum in person.
Voters have the flexibility to choose whether to vote on all 10 questions or just a selection. Each question is presented on a distinct, color-coded ballot, and voters can request a replacement ballot at the polling station if needed. Attire at voting locations is unrestricted, except for items classified as referendum advertising.
Following the referendum, election officers will manually count the ballots within 48 hours according to provincial regulations. Results will be processed starting with the separation-related question and then moving on to the subsequent questions, without waiting for all polling stations to finish counting. Live coverage of the referendum results can be accessed through various CBC platforms on the night of the referendum and the morning after.
