Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): Most voting locations across Alberta opened on Monday for the province’s referendum, with polls scheduled to remain open until 8 p.m., Elections Alberta Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure confirmed.
Eligible voters who have not cast their ballots during advance voting or through a special ballot can vote on Election Day, but they must attend the polling location assigned to their residential address.
Voters can check their designated location using the Where to Vote card delivered to their homes, the Elections Alberta website or its online voting-location map. Those needing assistance can contact the agency’s service centre at 1-877-422-8683.
Ten questions, ten ballots
Voters will receive 10 colour-coded ballots, each containing one referendum question. Anyone who does not wish to vote on every question may decline the corresponding ballots. After marking their choices behind a voting screen, voters must place each ballot in the box designated for that question.
Election officials will assist voters who need help with the process. Accessibility provisions include the use of assistive tools, support from a friend or family member who takes the required oath, and curbside voting for people unable to enter a polling location because of a disability.
Identification required at the polls
To cast a ballot, voters must establish their identity and current physical address. Elections Alberta accepts several forms of identification, including government-issued photo ID containing the required details or two documents that together confirm a voter’s name and address.
The Where to Vote card can help officials direct voters to the correct voting area, but it cannot be used as identification.
Eligible voters who are not registered can register at their assigned polling location on Election Day. To qualify, a person must be a Canadian citizen aged 18 or older on October 19 and ordinarily reside in Alberta.
Rules for phones and recording devices
Election officials have also issued reminders about conduct inside voting locations. Smart glasses and recording devices are prohibited in voting and ballot-counting areas. Mobile phones may be used for texting or accessing applications, but voters cannot take photographs, record, play audio or video with sound, or make phone calls inside the locations.
Voters are encouraged to review the referendum questions before arriving and ensure they have acceptable identification.
Employees entitled to time off to vote
Under Alberta’s Election Act, employers must ensure eligible employees have three consecutive hours free from work to vote on at least one advance-voting day or Election Day.
If an employee’s regular schedule does not provide that window, the employer must arrange additional time off. Where extra time is required, it must be paid, and employees cannot be penalised for taking it. The provision does not apply again on Election Day to people who have already voted in advance or by special ballot.
When will results be available?
Voting locations are expected to close at 8 p.m., although closing may be delayed at sites where queues remain or that opened later than scheduled. Elections Alberta said the results website will go live after all voting locations across the province have confirmed closure.
The counting process will cover Election Day ballots, advance votes, mobile voting and special ballots. Question 10 will be counted first, followed by Questions 1 through 9. Unofficial results are expected to be released as counts are completed and submitted, with the regulations requiring their publication within 48 hours of the confirmed closure of all voting locations.
The official results announcement is scheduled for October 29, the tenth day after Election Day. Final results will be published through Elections Alberta’s official website.
Elections Alberta has advised voters to confirm their assigned polling location before travelling and to bring acceptable identification to avoid delays.
