With over 50 days remaining until the province’s Oct. 19 referendum, Elections Alberta reports a significant surge in requests for mail-in voting compared to previous elections. As of Tuesday, more than 175,000 requests have been received for special ballots, a notable increase from the 59,589 special ballots requested for the 2023 provincial election, which itself doubled the number requested before the 2019 election.
The upcoming referendum will feature 10 questions, covering various topics such as immigration, the Constitution, and the possibility of holding a second referendum on Alberta’s separation. The heightened demand for special ballots can be partly attributed to the discontinuation of the province’s “Vote Anywhere” system, according to Elections Alberta. Previously, voters could cast their ballots at any polling station across 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.
“Election Act changes have restricted electors to cast their ballots within their electoral division, eliminating the ‘vote anywhere’ option in Alberta,” stated Elections Alberta spokesperson Maia Hanrahan. “Furthermore, the legislative amendments have broadened the availability of special ballots, allowing voters to apply without needing a specific reason. This shift is expected to prompt many individuals who previously used the ‘vote anywhere’ feature to opt for special ballots.”
Applications for voting by special ballot opened in July and will continue until Sept. 25, accessible to all eligible electors. Elections Alberta will commence mailing special ballots to voters on Sept. 1, with a deadline for returning the ballots by mail set for 5 p.m. on Oct. 16.
Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure highlighted in July that some Albertans may opt for mail-in voting to have extra time to review the 10 referendum questions thoroughly. Political scientist Lori Williams from Mount Royal University shared that the complexity of the questions, totaling over 400 words collectively, could lead voters to seek additional time to understand and make informed decisions on how to vote.
Williams emphasized that potential confusion among voters regarding the wording of the referendum questions might result in longer wait times at polling stations, prompting a surge in interest in mail-in ballots. She foresees a further increase in mail-in ballot requests as discussions surrounding the referendum intensify closer to October.
“This decision impacts the future of Alberta and Canada,” she remarked.
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 Sept. 21. Advanced voting will take place from Oct. 13-17, while voting locations on Oct. 19 will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.