Mail-in voting opens for Alberta referendum

Alberta voters can now apply to cast a mail-in ballot in the provincewide referendum scheduled for Oct. 19.

Vote by Mail, formally called a Special Ballot, is available to all eligible Alberta electors. Voters do not need to provide a reason for using the option.

“Vote by Mail gives Albertans the flexibility to choose a day and time that works for them to sit down and consider the referendum questions,” Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure said in a July 20 news release.

The referendum will include 10 questions; each printed on a separate numbered and colour-coded ballot.

Applications for a Special Ballot must be submitted by Oct. 9. Elections Alberta is encouraging voters to apply early enough to receive and return their packages before the deadline.

Completed packages must arrive by mail at Elections Alberta before 5 p.m. on Oct. 16. Returning offices will not accept completed Special Ballot packages.

Voters can apply online at specialballot.elections.ab.ca, email info@elections.ab.ca or contact their electoral division’s returning office beginning Sept. 21.

Mailing of Special Ballot packages will begin Sept. 1. Each package will include a prepaid return envelope.

Packages may also be picked up at Elections Alberta’s Edmonton office beginning Sept. 1 or at the voter’s returning office beginning Sept. 21. A designated person may pick up a package on a voter’s behalf.

Someone may apply on behalf of another elector only when that person requires assistance because of an illness or disability.

Voters completing a Special Ballot must sign a declaration and include copies of identification showing their name and address. Original identification documents should not be mailed.

The mail-in option may be useful for students studying away from home and voters who expect to be outside their electoral division during advance voting or on referendum day.

Advance voting will take place from Oct. 13 to 17. Electors may vote at any advance voting location within their electoral division.

On Oct. 19, voting locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Electors voting that day must attend their assigned location.

Nine questions will ask voters to mark “yes” or “no.” A tenth will ask electors to select between two options concerning Alberta’s place in Canada.

That question asks whether Alberta should remain a Canadian province or whether the provincial government should begin the legal process required to hold a binding referendum on separation. The result of the Oct. 19 question itself will not be binding.

Five questions concern immigration policy, access to provincially funded services, a proposed 12-month residency requirement for some temporary residents, possible health and education fees for people with non-permanent immigration status, and proof of Canadian citizenship for voting in provincial elections.

Four constitutional questions concern provincial involvement in appointing superior court judges, abolishing the Senate, allowing provinces to opt out of federal programs without losing associated funding and giving provincial laws priority in certain conflicts with federal legislation.

Elections Alberta says it cannot interpret questions provided by the provincial government. Questions about their meaning should be directed to the Government of Alberta or a voter’s MLA.

Ballots will be counted by hand, beginning with the question concerning Alberta remaining in Canada or starting the process toward a separation referendum. With seven or more questions on the ballot, regulations allow up to 48 hours after voting closes for the unofficial count to be completed.

More referendum and voting information is available from Elections Alberta.