Elections Alberta to soon start hiring 60,000 ballot counters for separation vote

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith arrives to speak during a news conference in Calgary, Alta., Friday, May 22, 2026.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

EDMONTON — Elections Alberta says a massive hiring effort for the fall referendum on the province’s place in Canada will get underway early next month.

The agency says 60,000 or more elections officers will be needed to hand count the votes, which provincial law dictates must be done within 48 hours after polling stations close.

It says all positions are paid and most are open to those over 16 who pass a criminal record check.

Elections Alberta says hiring will get underway on June 8, and it’s counting on Albertans to step forward.

Premier Danielle Smith announced last week that on Oct. 19 Albertans will be asked whether they want to remain in Canada or hold a second binding vote on the province going its own way.

It will be the first of 10 questions Albertans are being asked to answer, with the other nine put forward by Smith covering immigration and constitutional reform.

Elections Alberta says each question will be on its own colour-coded ballot, and it expects to need 34 million ballot sheets.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2026.

Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press