Nearly 175,000 voted on first day of Alberta referendum advance polling

Nearly 175,000 Albertans cast ballots on the first day of advance voting Tuesday, according to Elections Alberta. The turnout surpassed the daily average from the 2023 provincial election (roughly 152,000 per day) and prompted some polling stations to stay open late to handle lineups.

Elections Alberta is preparing for record turnout in the referendum, which asks 10 questions on immigration policy, constitutional matters, and whether Alberta should pursue a binding referendum on separation from Canada.

Advance voting runs through Friday. Voters can cast ballots at any location within their electoral division. Official polling day is Monday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; anyone in line when polls close is permitted to vote.

Mail-in ballot requests reached roughly 658,000, with two-thirds of those ballots already returned. Albertans were advised to mail ballots by Oct. 9 to ensure arrival by the deadline. Mail ballot packages must include a photocopy of the front of a driver's licence or ID showing name and current address, or photocopies of two pieces of ID with names on both and current address on one.

Premier Danielle Smith voted and posted a video urging support for the "remain in Canada" option on the separation question and a "yes" vote on the nine other proposals. "It's not the time to give up hope on the country," Smith said in the video, citing progress on major projects including a proposed new oil pipeline and noting "many Albertans are frustrated with Ottawa."

NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi also voted, publicly encouraging Albertans to reject the nine UCP proposals and vote to stay in Canada. The referendum will determine the path forward on constitutional and sovereignty questions facing the province.