One month to go before Alberta's 10-question referendum on Oct. 19
Elections Alberta reports nearly 520,000 special ballot applications so far, with a fresh referendum website launching Sept. 21.
Why it matters
The referendum affects all eligible Albertans, and key deadlines for requesting and returning ballots are approaching quickly.
With one month remaining before Alberta's 10-question referendum, Elections Alberta says demand for special ballots is high. As of Sept. 17, nearly 520,000 special ballot applications had been requested, and of the 330,000 packages mailed out, more than 24,000 have already been returned and approved.
An investigation into a production issue found 313 special ballot packages were missing ballots; affected electors have since been issued replacements. Albertans have until Sept. 25 to request a special ballot, and Canada Post recommends returning completed packages by Oct. 9 to ensure they arrive before the Oct. 16, 5 p.m. deadline.
Elections Alberta says 48,000 people have applied to work as election officers provincewide, but more qualified applicants are still needed in Grande Prairie-Wapiti and Peace River. Albertans 16 and older can apply online. A new option also lets groups such as sports teams, community organizations and volunteer groups apply together starting Sept. 21 to be hired and paid as a group.
A new referendum website launches the morning of Sept. 21, offering voter eligibility and ID information, Returning Office contacts, a Where to Vote tool, advance voting hours (Oct. 13-17), Election Day details, ballot-counting information and accessible voting resources. Where to Vote cards will be mailed to electors by the end of September, with voting day set for Oct. 19.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.