Referendum Information Updates

October 01, 2026

EDMONTON – Elections Alberta issues important referendum information updates to Albertans, including updates on special ballots, referendum voting information, and election worker recruitment.

Special ballots update

As of September 29, 2026:

• Elections Alberta received and completed processing all of the just over 658,000 special ballot applications. In total, over 652,000 were approved and sent to electors.
• Over 5,700 applications were rejected due to a variety of reasons, including elector ineligibility, duplicate requests, and invalid addressing or other information.
• The final batch of special ballots has been sent for production and mailing, and electors should receive them in the coming days or be notified to pick them up from the returning office if they designated that delivery option in their application.
• Time to receive them will depend on the distance they are being mailed and the accuracy of the receiving address provided by electors.
• All international destination requests have been sent out via courier.
• More than 131,000 completed special ballot packages have been returned, validated, and those electors marked as voted.

Electors can track the status of their special ballot using the link in the confirmation sent to them when they applied. Tracking will show if and when the returned special ballot package has been received and voting register updated.

Electors are reminded the same identification requirements and standards are applied to voting by special ballot as voting in person to ensure the integrity of the vote.

• If your special ballot package does not contain copies of your accepted ID or declaration, it cannot be accepted. Elections Alberta will attempt to contact you to receive these documents. If we are unable to receive them, your special ballot will be rejected, and you can vote in person during advance voting or on Election Day.
• Do not send your original ID in your special ballot package. Please send a photocopy, scan, or photo only. Black and white copies are accepted, and only a copy of the front of identification cards is necessary. The information must be clear and legible. If you are using methods of ID like a utility bill, you may black out your utility account number and usage/billing information.
• Elections Alberta will make every effort to return physical, original identification to electors using a secure, delivery-tracked method.

Importantly, it is the elector’s responsibility to ensure their completed special ballot is received by the deadline. Canada Post strongly recommends electors mail their completed special ballot packages back to Elections Alberta by October 9, 2026, to ensure they are received by the deadline, Friday, October 16, at 5:00pm.

If a special ballot package is not received and approved by Elections Alberta by the deadline, electors may vote during advance voting or in person on October 19. The voting register is updated in real time to reflect when a special ballot has been received to ensure that electors cannot vote more than once. Electors should check their tracking information to confirm their ballots have been received and marked as voted.

While the number of special ballot applications is very high compared to past elections, it can be attributed to the legislative amendments removing required reasons to apply for a special ballot, to “vote anywhere” no longer being a voting option, and to the number of questions, as electors want to take more time to read, understand, and consider their votes before marking their ballots.

Electors who would like to understand the process of receiving and validating special ballots can view the full process, including identification verification, on our website at https://www.elections.ab.ca/current-election-information/ballot-count-for-SB-mail-in-voting.

Referendum Voting Information

Where to Vote cards began being mailed to electors on September 21 and distribution is expected to be completed by early October. Electors may also find their advance voting and assigned Election Day voting locations on our website under Where Do I Vote or directly through https://map.elections.ab.ca. Several rural areas will have voting location information published in their local newspapers, and specific communities such as First Nations and Métis Settlements will have local information where applicable. Additional online, radio, television, and print advertising will provide further information.

Elections Alberta’s website provides easy access to content and videos, including:

• Voter eligibility, registration, and identification requirements
• Local Returning Office contact information, addresses, and hours
• Elections Alberta’s Where to Vote tool and voting location lists
• Voting locations and times for advance voting – October 13 to 17
• Voting locations and times for Election Day voting – October 19
• How ballots are counted for in-person voting and special ballots
• Link to unofficial results, which will be live after all voting locations are confirmed closed on election night
• Important dates and news releases
• Information on accessible voting options for persons with disabilities

Voter registrations will be accepted using the online voter registration tool until October 9, 2026. Eligible electors may also register to vote in person at their local returning office, by contacting our Service Centre for assistance, or registering when they go to vote at the voting place. If eligible electors have voted in previous provincial elections and have not moved, changed their name, or requested removal from the List of Electors, they are already registered to vote and do not need to do anything further.

Electors who have questions or need assistance may contact our Service Centre at 1-877-422-VOTE (8683), open from 8:15am-8:00pm weekdays, 8:15am-6:00pm weekends, and 8:15am-8:00pm on voting days.

Voting reminders

Elections Alberta strongly encourages voters take the following steps to ensure a smooth in-person voting experience:

• Read the referendum questions in advance and decide how you wish to vote.
• Ensure you are eligible to vote and have accepted identification with you when you go to vote.
• Ensure you are voting at the correct voting location in your electoral division, as indicated on your Where to Vote card or using the Where to Vote tool.

Election officer recruitment update

To work as an election officer, applicants must sign an oath, successfully complete a criminal record check, and comply with Elections Alberta’s policy on political activities. Any election officer who does not meet or comply with these requirements throughout the course of their employment with Elections Alberta will be dismissed.

Hiring is done by Returning Officers in each local electoral division. Applicants are reminded to answer their phones and emails to ensure they can be hired and trained. Criminal records check links must be accessed and completed within 24 hours of receipt. Note: no soft credit check is done during this process; the information is used only to confirm identity. Questions should be directed to the returning office in your electoral division.

Almost 62,000 total applications have been received, and 37,500 election officers hired. However, several electoral divisions, particularly in smaller, more sparsely populated rural areas need more qualified applicants to complete their teams. These include, but are not limited to:

• Peace River
• Cardston-Siksika
• Lesser Slave Lake
• Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche
• Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo
• Taber-Warner
• Grande Prairie-Wapiti
• West Yellowhead
• Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul

A variety of positions are required and include paid training. Albertans 16 years of age and older are encouraged to apply at https://www.elections.ab.ca/jobs and serve their communities in these important roles. Hiring will continue up until the referendum.

Elections Alberta has a program for groups wanting to work together for the referendum and fundraise for their group. Groups, such as sports teams, community groups, volunteer organizations, and more, can apply directly to Returning Offices in their electoral division to have their group’s members hired as election officers and be paid through the group. Interested groups should view the information for the Group Election Work Program and contact their local Returning Office.

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:
Maia Hanrahan
Media Relations
Phone: 403.431.5974
Email: [email protected]

Posted in: Press Releases