The provincial referendum is just weeks away, set for Oct. 19.
Elections Alberta reported that it has received and processed over 658,000 special ballot applications, as of Sept. 29.
In total, over 652,000 were approved and sent out to electors. The agency said over 5,700 applications were rejected. Some of the reasons listed included elector ineligibility, duplicate requests, and invalid addressing or other information.
Officials noted that the final batch of special ballots has been sent for production and mailing. Electors should get their special ballots in the coming days or be notified to pick them up from their returning office if they chose that delivery option in their application.
The agency said that the receiving time will depend on the distance the ballots are being mailed and the accuracy of the receiving address, while all international destination requests have been sent out by courier service.
Over 131,000 completed special ballot packages have already been returned, validated, and those electors have been marked as ‘voted’.
Elections Alberta said voters can track the status of their special ballot through the link they received in their confirmation email when they applied.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
The agency said the same identification requirements and standards are applied by voting via special ballot as voting in person. Officials said this ensures the integrity of the vote.
Elections Alberta has issued the following reminders:
- If a special ballot package does not contain copies of an elector’s accepted ID or declaration, it cannot be accepted. Elections Alberta will try to contact the elector to get those documents. If the agency is unable to receive them, the special ballot will be rejected, and the elector can vote in person.
- Electors are asked to not send their original ID in their special ballot package. Instead, send a photocopy, scan, or photo only. Black and white copies are accepted, and only a copy of the front of ID cards is necessary. Officials said the information must be clear and legible. If an elector is using something like a utility bill as ID, they can black out their utility account number and usage/billing details.
- Elections Alberta said it will make every effort to return physical, original identification to electors using a secure, delivery-tracked method.
Additionally, it is the elector’s responsibility to make sure their completed special ballot is received by the deadline of 5 p.m. on Oct. 16, 2026.
Canada Post suggests electors mail their ballot packages by Oct. 9 to ensure they are received by the deadline. If a special ballot is not received by the deadline, electors can vote during advance voting or in person on Oct. 19.
More information on special ballots is available on the Elections Alberta website.
The mailing out of ‘Where to Vote’ cards began Sept. 21, with officials saying distribution is expected to be finished by early October.
Voting locations are also available on the Elections Alberta website.
