Referendum Information Updates

September 18, 2026

EDMONTON – Elections Alberta issues important referendum information updates to Albertans in advance of the final month before the referendum, including updates on special ballots, referendum voting information, and election worker recruitment, including a new program for hiring groups and teams.

Special ballots update

As of September 17, 2026:

• Elections Alberta has received almost 520,000 special ballot applications.
• Approximately 72% have been approved and sent for production and mailing.
• Over 330,000 have been mailed out to electors.
• Over 24,000 completed special ballot packages have been returned and approved.

Following an investigation, Elections Alberta’s service provider identified and resolved a production issue determined to be the cause of some special ballot packages missing ballots.

• A total of 313 special ballot packages have been identified as affected, representing 0.09% of special ballot packages issued. Affected electors have been issued replacement packages.

Issues with addressing, typos, and other errors in electors’ applications have delayed approval of approximately 7,200 applications. Elections Alberta is working to identify and correct these errors to ensure special ballots are delivered to the correct recipient at the correct address, and Elections Alberta may contact electors directly to resolve those issues.

Electors can track the status of their special ballot using the link in the confirmation sent to them when they applied. If applications have not been approved after three weeks, electors should contact Elections Alberta’s special ballot line at 1-877-672-1365. Tracking will show if the application has been received, processed, or sent to the elector, and if the returned special ballot package has been received and voting register updated.

The deadline to request a special ballot from Elections Alberta’s website or at local returning offices is Friday, September 25, 2026. Starting September 21, electors will have the option when applying for a special ballot to request pick up from their local returning office. Please wait until you are contacted before going to pick up your ballot at the requested location.

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 will need to 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. 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.

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.

Importantly, if a special ballot package is not received by Elections Alberta by the deadline, electors can still vote during advance voting or in person on October 19. The voting register is updated 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 removal of reasons required 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 and consider their votes before marking their ballots.

Referendum Voting Information

Elections Alberta will launch its referendum website the morning of Monday, September 21, 2026. The website will provide easy access to content and videos, including:

• Voter eligibility, registration, and identification requirements
• Local Returning Office contact information, addresses, and hours
• Elections Alberta Where to Vote tool
• 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

Where to Vote cards will be mailed to electors at the end of September. Cards will include available advance voting locations in your electoral division and your assigned voting location for Election Day. Several rural areas will have voting location information published in their local newspapers. Additional online, radio, television, and print advertising will provide additional information.

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.

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.

Approximately 48,000 applications have been received, and 25,000 election officers hired. Hiring is done by Returning Officers in each local electoral division. Several electoral divisions, particularly in smaller, more sparsely populated rural areas need qualified applicants. 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 new program for groups wanting to work together for the referendum. 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 contact their local Returning Office starting September 21, 2026.

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