Nearly 520,000 Alberta Voters Apply for Special Ballots Ahead of Oct. 19 Referendum

Elections Alberta has received nearly 520,000 applications for special ballots ahead of the Oct. 19 referendum, with more than 330,000 ballots already mailed to voters.

Of those special ballot packages that were mailed out, 24,000 have been completed, returned, and approved by Elections Alberta, the agency said.

Elections Alberta said that a production issue caused 313 special ballot packages to be sent out with their ballots missing, and those who received the affected packages have been issued replacements.

Separately, issues with addressing, typos, and other errors in electors’ applications have delayed approval of approximately 7,200 applications, it said, adding that it is working on correcting the issues.

Those who apply for special ballots can track the status of their application online by following the instructions they receive when they apply, it said.

Sept. 25 is the deadline for applying, and voters are advised to mail back their completed applications by Oct. 9.

Elections Alberta moved up the deadline to request a mail-in ballot from the original date of Oct. 9, saying the change was made to ensure electors could receive and return their special ballots to Elections Alberta’s Edmonton offices by the Oct. 16 deadline.

“Electors are reminded the same identification requirements and standards are applied to voting by special ballot as voting in person to ensure the integrity of the vote,” Elections Alberta said.

Identification should be a driver’s license or provincial photo ID card, or two documents showing full name and current address such as an Alberta Health card and utility bill, it said.

Those mailing in their ballots should send photocopies, scans, or photographs in color or black-and-white of identifying documents, and should not send in originals, it said.

Elections Alberta said the special ballot is an option for voters who will be away from their ordinary residence in Alberta during a voting period “for work, school, military service, vacation, travel, or any other reason, or who do not want to vote in person.”

Voters may submit a request to receive a special ballot online, by phone, or by email, and have the ballot package sent by mail, or pick it up in person or through a designate at a local returning office or at Elections Alberta in Edmonton, it says.

Alberta will vote on Oct. 19 on a referendum including questions on immigration, eligibility for provincial programs, voting requirements, provincial control over courts and federal programs, Senate abolition, and strengthening provincial powers.

A final question asks whether Alberta should remain part of Canada or begin the process toward a binding separation referendum.

Elections Alberta says it will launch its referendum website on Sept. 21, which will provide information about voter eligibility, registration, and identification requirements.

It will also provide information about local returning offices, voting locations, locations and times for advance voting between Oct. 13 to 17, a link to unofficial results following the closure of voting locations, and information on accessible voting options for persons with disabilities, it says.