Mail-in ballot requests surge ahead of Alberta separation referendum

Elections Alberta disclosed that the number of special ballot applications for the October 19 referendum on Alberta’s possible separation has risen to approximately 658,000, a figure eleven times greater than the roughly 60,000 requests recorded during the 2023 provincial election. About 100,000 of those voters have already used their mail-in ballots. The deadline for filing a request expired at midnight on Friday, and the agency has set a return deadline of 5 p.m. on Oct. 16 for all mailed ballots.

Voters will decide on ten questions presented by Premier Danielle Smith’s government, notably whether to stay within Canada or to conduct a second, binding vote on leaving the Confederation. The surge in ballot requests reflects heightened public interest as the referendum approaches.