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Special Ballot Requests Now Open for October 19 Referendum

July 20, 2026

EDMONTON, AB – Online applications to Vote by Mail are now open for the October 19, 2026, Referendum.  Vote by Mail, also known as a Special Ballot, is available to all eligible Alberta electors. Electors do not need to provide a reason to apply.

“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,” said Gordon McClure, Chief Electoral Officer. “With 10 questions, some electors may want extra time to review the questions and voting by mail lets them do that on their own schedule.”

Vote by Mail is a convenient option for electors who will not be available or are going to be away from their electoral division during advance voting days October 13 -17, or on Election Day, October 19. This includes students studying away from home.

Applications to Vote by Mail close October 9, 2026, and all completed Special Ballot packages must be received by Elections Alberta by mail before 5:00pm on October 16, 2026. Returning Offices will not accept Special Ballot packages.

Apply to Vote by Mail
Electors can secure a Special Ballot by:

The last day to request a Special Ballot is October 9, 2026. Electors are encouraged to apply earlier enough to ensure they receive it and can return it by the deadline.

Once an application is received, a Vote by Mail package will be mailed to the address provided by the elector, which will include a prepaid return envelope. Special Ballot packages will begin mailing to electors on September 1, 2026.

Special ballots may also be picked up in person at:

  • Elections Alberta’s head office in Edmonton starting September 1, or
  • The elector’s electoral division Returning Office starting September 21.

A designate may pick up a package on the elector’s behalf. A person may apply for a Special Ballot on behalf of an elector only when the elector requires assistance due to disability or illness.

If an elector does not wish to be added to the List of Electors, they can request a secure Special Ballot.

Completing your Vote by Mail
Once electors receive their package, they can complete it at a time that suits them. Elections Alberta must receive completed packages by mail before 5 p.m. on October 16, 2026.

Electors voting by mail must sign a declaration and provide identification to prove their name and address. Please note: electors are required to include copies of their accepted ID with their Special Ballot. Please do not send Elections Alberta original forms of ID.

Other voting options
Electors may vote during Advance Vote in their electoral division, October 13-17 at any advance voting location in their electoral division.

Election Day voting locations will be open 9:00am to 8:00pm on October 19, 2026. Electors must vote at their assigned voting location in their electoral division on Election Day.

Referendum information
Visit our website to learn more about Referendum 2026. Apply to work during the Referendum at our recruitment webpage. All positions and training are paid.  Please see the Important Referendum Information Update for more information on ballots, voting, and voting requirements.  Follow Elections Alberta on social media for more Referendum 2026 updates.

 

Elections Alberta is an independent, non-partisan office of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta responsible for administering provincial elections, by-elections, and referendums.

 

For media inquiries, please contact:
Michelle Gurney
Media Relations
Phone: 403.431.0759 
Email: [email protected]

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