More than 50 days are left before the October 19 referendum in the province, and Elections Alberta is reporting a significant surge in requests for mail-in voting compared to past elections.
Elections Alberta disclosed that they have already received over 175,000 requests for special ballots as of Tuesday, offering voters the option to cast their votes via mail. This number far exceeds the 59,589 special ballots requested for the 2023 provincial election, which itself was more than double the requests made before the 2019 election.
This fall, the province is presenting 10 questions for a referendum vote. The ballots cover various immigration and Constitution-related queries, along with one addressing whether Alberta should conduct a second, binding referendum on separation.
The increased demand for special ballots can be attributed in part to the discontinuation of the province’s “Vote Anywhere” system, according to Elections Alberta. Previously, voters could cast their ballots at any voting station in the province during the advanced voting period. However, recent amendments to the Elections Act have terminated this system, while expanding special ballot eligibility to more voters.
Maia Hanrahan, Elections Alberta spokesperson, explained that voters are now required to cast their ballots in their electoral division and no longer have the flexibility to ‘vote anywhere’ in Alberta. Additionally, the legislative changes have broadened the availability of special ballots, eliminating the need for a specific reason to apply for one. Consequently, many individuals who previously utilized the ‘vote anywhere’ option are anticipated to shift to voting by special ballot.
Applications for special ballot voting opened in July and will remain accessible until September 25 for all eligible electors. Elections Alberta will commence sending out special ballots to voters on September 1, with the requirement to return the special ballot packages by mail before 5 p.m. on October 16.
Chief electoral officer Gordon McClure highlighted 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 noted the complexity of the upcoming referendum questions, each comprising over 400 words collectively. This complexity, coupled with potential confusion among voters regarding the wording of the questions, could lead to longer wait times during voting. As a result, there is a growing interest in mail-in ballots as the discussion around the referendum intensifies.
Williams emphasized the significance of the referendum in shaping the future of Alberta and Canada, underscoring the importance of voter participation. Interested individuals can secure a special ballot by filling out an online form on Elections Alberta’s website, through email, or by contacting the returning office for their electoral division starting September 21.
Advance voting is scheduled from October 13-17, while voting locations on October 19 will operate from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.