Elections Alberta receives 225,000 requests for referendum mail-in ballots

About 225,000 Albertans have requested mail-in ballots for the province’s October referendum, a sharp increase from the 59,589 special ballots requested during the 2023 provincial election.

Elections Alberta said special ballots would begin going out on Sept. 1. The ballots give voters another way to participate before referendum day on Oct. 19.

Political scientist Lisa Young of the University of Calgary said the number of applications was not surprising because many voters expect long lines at polling places. “I don’t think it’s a surprising number at all, because its been pretty clear to anyone who’s been paying attention that there’s a high risk of long lineups on referendum day,” Young said.

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I don’t think it’s a surprising number at all, because its been pretty clear to anyone who’s been paying attention that there’s a high risk of long lineups on referendum day.

Some Albertans are actively encouraging others to use the mail-in option. Jetty Nieuwenhuis, who lives southeast of Red Deer, said she, her husband and their two sons had all applied. “I suspect there’ll be huge lineups and I just want to have that extra option,” she said.

Voters can also cast ballots during advance voting from Oct. 13 to 17 or on referendum day. Elections Alberta advised voters to review the referendum questions online and prepare an authorized form of identification before going to vote.

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I suspect there’ll be huge lineups and I just want to have that extra option.