More than 50 days are left until the upcoming October 19 referendum in the province, but Elections Alberta reports a significant surge 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, offering voters the choice to vote by mail. This number is almost three times higher than the 59,589 special ballots requested for the 2023 provincial election, which itself more than doubled the requests made prior to the 2019 election.
The referendum this fall will feature 10 questions covering immigration, Constitution-related issues, and the possibility of a second binding referendum on Alberta’s separation.
The increased demand for special ballots is partly due to the discontinuation of the province’s “Vote Anywhere” system. Previously, voters could cast their ballots at any polling station in Alberta during the advanced voting period. However, recent changes to the Elections Act have ended this system while expanding special ballot eligibility to more voters.
According to Elections Alberta spokesperson Maia Hanrahan, voters must now cast their ballots in their electoral division, losing the option to vote anywhere in Alberta. Legislative amendments have also broadened the availability of special ballots, removing the requirement for a reason to apply for one. This shift is expected to attract many individuals who previously utilized the “vote anywhere” option to now opt for special ballots.
Applications for special ballots opened in July and will be accepted until September 25 for all eligible electors. Elections Alberta will commence mailing out special ballots on September 1, and completed special ballot packages must be returned by mail before 5 p.m. on October 16.
Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure suggested in July that Albertans may opt for mail-in voting to allow extra time to review the 10 referendum questions thoroughly.
Political scientist Lori Williams from Mount Royal University highlighted potential concerns about long voting lines and the need for additional support for Elections Alberta to conduct the referendum. She noted the complexity of the 10 questions on the ballots and the likelihood that voters want time to understand and deliberate on their responses.
Given potential confusion among voters regarding the referendum questions and the possibility of longer wait times at polling stations, interest in mail-in ballots is expected to rise as discussions around the referendum intensify.
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 13-17, with voting locations open on October 19 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
