Long lines expected for October 19 Alberta referendum, security plans still unclear

Elections Alberta is expecting a massive turnout for the October 19 referendum — 80 to 85 per cent of registered voters — but the agency hasn't yet fully worked out how to keep polling stations secure or manage the long lines that will inevitably form.

Edmonton Police Chief Warren Driechel told reporters Thursday the service is developing what he called a "significant plan" but made clear it won't include officers stationed at every voting location. "Our response is going to be more about preventing any kind of events that may be civil disorder, investigations of any criminal offences that are coming out of this, whether it's threats, assaults, intimidation," he said. "We're really focusing on developing a fairly comprehensive plan around what that looks like for the city."

Elections Alberta has not responded to inquiries about its specific security protocols, and Calgary police said they're prepared to respond once the plans come into focus.

Meanwhile, special ballots — meant to help voters skip the queues — are trickling in slowly. Nearly 520,000 Albertans have requested a special ballot for the referendum. As of the report date, over 300,000 packages had been mailed and 24,000 had been returned and approved. About 300 special ballot packages contained missing ballots, which the agency is addressing.

The deadline to request a special ballot is September 25 (the article source indicated "next Friday," which resolves to September 25 from today's date of September 19). Once requested, special ballots must be received by Elections Alberta by October 16. The referendum itself will ask multiple questions, including one — crafted by the provincial government — about whether Alberta should remain in Canada.