Application portal opens for mail-in ballots for Oct. 19 referendum

You can now apply to vote by mail for Alberta's October referendum.

Albertans who want to vote by mail in the Oct. 19 referendum can apply for a special ballot as of Monday.

Applications will remain open until Oct. 9.

Completed ballots will need to be received by Elections Alberta by mail before 5 p.m. on Oct. 16 in order to be counted.

“Vote by Mail gives Albertans the flexibility to choose a day and time that works for them to sit down and consider the referendum questions,” said chief electoral officer Gordon McClure in a statement. “With 10 questions, some electors may want extra time to review the questions and voting by mail lets them do that on their own schedule.”

Special ballots can be requested by completing an online form or writing to [e-mail] or contacting an electoral division’s returning officer as of Sept. 21.

The ballots and a prepaid return envelope will be mailed to electors beginning Sept. 1.

They can also be picked up from Elections Alberta’s head office in Edmonton starting Sept. 1, or the electoral division’s returning office starting Sept. 21.

Electors do not need to provide a reason for requesting a special ballot.

The referendum consists of questions about the province separating from Canada and constitutional and immigration reform.

Advance polls will be open Oct. 13-17.

More information about the referendum is available on the Elections Alberta website.

With files from The Canadian Press