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By Josh Hall
get your requests in now

Elections Alberta moves up deadline to get special mail-in ballots for referendum

Sep 3, 2026 | 1:42 PM

A wild number of requests for special mail-in ballots is prompting Elections Alberta to move up the deadline for voters to get one.

The deadline is now Sept. 25, but it was originally Oct. 9.

Elections Alberta shared during a media availability Thursday morning that requests have surged to 290,000, up from 225,000 two days ago — and that was already four times as many as in the last provincial general election.

They also said they’re still in the process of hiring several thousand more workers ahead of the Oct. 19 referendum.

“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,” says Gordon McClure, Chief Electoral Officer.

“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.”

In addition, Elections Alberta shared that the ballots for Question 10 — the one on separation — will be the first ones counted when Albertans take to the polls.

Officials also said that results on the separation question will likely be released between 1 and 4 a.m. on October 20.

Workers have 48 hours, or until 8 p.m. on October 21, to complete the entire vote count.

The Alberta NDP issued a statement today, calling the referendum expensive and chaotic.

“Yesterday many of the 290,000+ Albertans who signed up to vote in the referendum by special ballot received their voting packages, and there is now confusion over a form those voters must sign. The form, known as the attestation, asks those voting by special ballot to swear they cannot vote at advanced polls nor on referendum day. The form threatens fines and imprisonment for false claims,” says Christina Gray, house leader. 

“This form, as written, does not reflect the current laws and should never have been sent this way.  Elections Alberta has been encouraging Albertans to vote by special ballot, regardless of their circumstances. Telling reporters that people can cross out that part of the form is not good enough. Elections Alberta must resend a corrected attestation form to all affected voters with a letter explaining the error.”

Gray says these issues are entirely Premier Smith’s fault, claiming that the UCP have denied Elections Alberta’s requests for more resources to run this referendum. 

“Danielle Smith must cancel this referendum. We already know that the vast majority of Albertans are proud Canadians,” adds Gray. “Albertans deserve a government that is focused on the priorities of their family: affordability, good jobs, and strong public services for all.”  

Per Elections Alberta:

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.

Important Dates for Special Ballots

Special ballots mailing begins: September 1, 2026

New deadline to request a special ballot: September 25, 2026

Completed special ballot packages must be received by mail at Elections Alberta: 5:00 p.m. October 16, 2026

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.

Electors can secure a Special Ballot by:

by Josh Hall