EDMONTON, (Rajeev Sharma): Elections Alberta has brought forward the deadline for Albertans seeking to vote by special ballot, giving voters less time to submit their applications ahead of the 2026 provincial election.
The election agency announced that September 25, 2026, will now be the final day to request a special ballot. The previous deadline had been set for October 9.
The change follows discussions with mail and delivery service providers. Elections Alberta said the earlier cutoff is intended to give voters sufficient time to receive their ballot, complete the voting package and return it to the agency’s Edmonton offices before the statutory deadline.
Completed special ballot packages must arrive by 5 p.m. on October 16, 2026.
Thanksgiving holiday among factors behind decision
Elections Alberta Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure said the decision was made after reviewing the number of special ballot applications already being received and considering the impact of the Thanksgiving holiday on October 12.
The agency wants to reduce the risk that voters who choose to cast their ballots by mail are unable to have their votes counted because of postal delivery timelines.
Special ballot mailing began on September 1.
Elections Alberta clarifies declaration requirement
The election authority has also addressed concerns surrounding the declaration included in special ballot packages.
Some voters noticed wording stating: “I declare that I am unable to vote at an advance voting place or a voting place on Election Day.” According to Elections Alberta, the wording comes from an earlier version of the Election Act, when voters were required to provide a reason for requesting a special ballot.
Voters who receive a package containing the statement can cross out that particular sentence and complete the remainder of the declaration. Elections Alberta said such packages will still be accepted.
Future packages that have not yet been distributed will contain an updated declaration without the disputed wording.
No specific folding method required
The agency has also sought to reassure voters who are uncertain about how their ballot should be folded.
Elections Alberta said completed special ballot packages will be accepted regardless of how the ballot has been folded, provided the package has otherwise been properly completed and returned.
Voters can track their special ballot
People who apply for a special ballot can monitor the progress of their request through a tracking link supplied during the application process.
Those who provide an email address will receive the tracking information electronically. Applicants who use a phone number are advised to save or screenshot the closing screen of their application so they retain access to the tracking link.
The tracking system can show whether an application has been received and processed, whether the package has been sent out and whether a completed ballot has subsequently reached Elections Alberta.
What happens if a mailed ballot arrives late?
Voters who request a special ballot but whose completed package does not reach Elections Alberta before the 5 p.m. October 16 deadline are not necessarily prevented from voting.
They can still cast their vote during advance voting or vote in person on October 19, 2026.
Elections Alberta said its voting register is updated when a special ballot is received. This helps prevent an elector from voting more than once.
Key dates for Alberta voters
- September 1, 2026: Special ballot mailing begins
- September 25, 2026: New deadline to request a special ballot
- October 16, 2026, at 5 p.m.: Deadline for completed special ballot packages to reach Elections Alberta by mail
- October 19, 2026: Election Day
Elections Alberta is an independent, non-partisan office of Alberta’s Legislative Assembly. It is responsible for administering provincial elections, by-elections and referendums.
This article is a fresh rewrite based on the information provided and uses a different structure and wording from the source material.
