Deadline to Apply for Special Ballots Changed to September 25, 2026

September 03, 2026

EDMONTON, AB – After consulting with service providers, Elections Alberta is moving the last day to apply for a special ballot forward to September 25, 2026.

This step is being taken to ensure electors can receive and return their special ballots to Elections Alberta’s Edmonton offices by mail by the legislated deadline, 5:00pm on October 16, 2026.

“Elections Alberta wants to ensure that every elector who applies for a special ballot and returns their package by mail can do so successfully in the time allotted. After assessing current special ballot application volumes and considering the Thanksgiving holiday on Monday, October 12, we are making this change to ensure electors have enough time to cast their votes by mail,” says Gordon McClure, Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Alberta.

The original deadline to apply for a special ballot was October 9, 2026. The new deadline is September 25, 2026.

Completing special ballot packages

Declarations
Special ballot packages include a declaration that electors using this voting method are required to sign and return in their special ballot package. It contains a line “I declare that I am unable to vote at an advance voting place or a voting place on Election Day” that is causing concern and confusion for electors. We recognize this is carryover language from a previous version of the Election Act which required reasons to apply for a special ballot.

Electors may cross out the statement “I declare that I am unable to vote at an advance voting place or a voting place on Election Day” and complete the rest of the declaration, and Elections Alberta will accept it.

The declaration will be modified to remove that line for special ballots packages that have not yet been sent out.

Ballot folding
Several electors have expressed concerns about how to fold their ballots in their special ballot package. Elections Alberta will accept all ballots returned in completed special ballot packages, regardless of the way they are folded.

Tracking your special ballot progress
Special ballot packages include a standard paid return mailing envelope. You can track your request status and whether your special ballot vote has been received by Elections Alberta using the link provided to you when you requested your special ballot.

Electors who use an email address as the method of contact when applying for their special ballot will receive an email with a tracking link.

Electors who apply using their phone number as the method of contact should screenshot the closing image on their application to keep the link if they want to track their application’s progress.

Tracking will show if the request has been received, processed, or sent to the elector, and if the returned special ballot package has been received and voting register updated.

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.

Important Recruitment Information
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.

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]

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