Alberta's long-awaited Oct. 19 referendum day is here. What you need to know and the latest updates.
For Monday's referendum day, Elections Alberta is encouraging Albertans to come early in the day if they are able
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Monday marks the long-awaited referendum day and the final day for Albertans to vote on the ten questions put forward on the future of immigration, the constitution and separation.
Elections Alberta says there are currently 1,405 voting locations across the province and reminded Albertans that they must vote at their assigned locations. The agency added there will be more staff at locations to facilitate voter registration and there will be twice as many voting screens.
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Alberta's long-awaited Oct. 19 referendum day is here. What you need to know and the latest updates. Back to video
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Here’s what you need to know.
Voting on Election Day
For Monday’s referendum day, Elections Alberta is encouraging Albertans to come early in the day if they are able.
Voting locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday.
Electors must bring identification — the Where-to-Vote card does not count as ID, but it will speed up the voting officers to help determine your correct voting area.
The agency stresses that Albertans do no bring unsubmitted or unused special ballot packages as they cannot be accepted for in-person or disposal.
Those voting on Monday are encouraged to read the referendum questions ahead of time, ensure they have valid ID such as a driver’s license or a piece of government issued ID and ensure they are at the correct voting location.
Albertans who did not vote in the advanced vote or by special ballot can find their assigned voting location by checking their Where-to-Vote card that was mailed, or visiting the Elections Alberta website and navigating to the “Where Do I Vote page.”
Voters can also contact the agency at 1-877-422-8683 for help.
Wainwright fire impacts advanced voting
A “violent” and fast-spreading fire at the Canadian Forces Base Wainwright on Saturday forced Elections Alberta to close its advanced voting station at the Wainwright Communiplex Advance Vote location at 6:30 p.m. and redirected voters to Lloydminister and Vermilion.
The fire ultimately killed four soldiers and injured 39.
On Sunday the agency said both Wainwright voting locations will be open on Monday for referendum day voting from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The locations are Wainwright Communiplex and Legion Branch 29 Wainwright.
The agency said advanced ballot boxes and materials from Wainwright were moved securely.
Over 1.3 million ballots cast
According to Elections Alberta there were a total of 311 voting locations for the advanced vote which took place from Oct. 13 to Oct. 17.
As of Sunday, the unofficial number of ballots cast for the advanced voting period and special ballots so far is 1,356,873. Of them 837,791 were advanced ballot votes and 519,082 were special ballot votes.
On Saturday, Elections Alberta said all special ballots received by Canada Post by the Oct. 16 deadline at 5 p.m. have been opened and final processing of the ballot packages are happening over the next day.
According to Elections Alberta, 43.1 per cent of the 3.1 million eligible voters voted via advanced ballot and special ballot. In comparison, during the 2023 provincial election which had 2.9 eligible voters it saw a 27.5 per cent voter turnout for advanced and special ballot.
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