With over 50 days remaining until the October 19 referendum in the province, Elections Alberta has reported a significant surge in requests for mail-in voting compared to previous elections.
As of Tuesday, Elections Alberta has already received more than 175,000 requests for special ballots, allowing voters the option to cast their votes through the mail.
This number of requests is nearly three times the 59,589 special ballots requested for the provincial election in 2023, which itself more than doubled the requests made before the 2019 election.
The upcoming fall referendum in Alberta will feature 10 questions, including inquiries related to immigration, the Constitution, and the potential for a second binding referendum on separation for the province.
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 across Alberta during the advanced voting period. However, recent changes to the Elections Act have terminated this system while expanding special ballot eligibility to more voters.
“Electors are now required to cast their ballots in their specific electoral division. The option to ‘vote anywhere’ in Alberta has been eliminated,” explained Elections Alberta spokesperson Maia Hanrahan via email on Tuesday.
“Furthermore, legislative adjustments have broadened the availability of special ballots. Voters no longer need a specific reason to apply for a special ballot, and many individuals who previously utilized the ‘vote anywhere’ system are now opting for special ballots.”
Applications for special ballots opened in July and will remain open until September 25, accessible to all eligible electors.
Elections Alberta will commence sending out special ballots to electors on September 1, with a deadline for receiving completed special ballot packages by mail set for 5 p.m. on October 16.
Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure mentioned in July that some Albertans may choose to vote by mail to allow extra time for reviewing the 10 referendum questions.
Mount Royal University political scientist Lori Williams noted the growing interest in mail-in ballots due to uncertainties regarding potential voting lineups and ongoing support needs for the referendum execution by Elections Alberta.
Williams emphasized the complexity of the 10 questions on the ballots, totaling over 400 words, leading voters to seek more time for reflection and understanding of the issues.
Concerns about potential confusion over the wording of the referendum questions could result in longer wait times, prompting increased interest in mail-in ballots as the referendum discourse intensifies.
“This decision impacts the future of Alberta and Canada,” highlighted Williams.
To obtain 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 to 17, while voting locations on October 19 will be operational from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
