More than 50 days are left before the October 19 referendum in the province, and Elections Alberta reports a significant increase in requests for mail-in voting compared to previous elections. As of Tuesday, over 175,000 requests for special ballots have been received, nearly tripling the number from the 2023 provincial election and doubling the requests from the 2019 election.
The upcoming referendum will present 10 questions to voters, covering immigration, Constitution-related matters, and the possibility of a second binding referendum on Alberta’s separation. The surge in special ballot requests is partly due to the discontinuation of the province’s “Vote Anywhere” system. Voters can no longer cast their ballots at any voting station during the advanced voting period, but the eligibility for special ballots has been expanded to accommodate more voters.
Elections Alberta spokesperson Maia Hanrahan highlighted the changes, stating that electors must now vote in their electoral division and special ballot availability has been broadened. The application period for special ballots opened in July and will remain open until September 25 for all eligible electors. Special ballots will be sent out starting September 1, and completed 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 additional time to review the 10 referendum questions thoroughly. Political scientist Lori Williams from Mount Royal University mentioned the complexity of the questions and the desire of voters to understand them before casting their votes.
Williams also highlighted potential confusion among voters regarding the wording of the questions, which could lead to longer wait times at polling stations. She anticipates a further increase in interest in mail-in ballots as discussions about the referendum intensify in the coming months.
To obtain a special ballot, individuals can complete an online form on Elections Alberta’s website, via email, or by contacting the returning office for their electoral division starting September 21. Advance voting will take place from October 13-17, with voting locations open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on October 19.