The True Post (Web News)
Muhammad Aman Ullah
Published: September 18, 2026
More than 509,000 applications for mail-in ballots have been received ahead of Alberta’s referendum scheduled for October 19, according to Elections Alberta.
The number of applications continues to rise, with the province expecting what could be a record level of voter participation.
More Than 500,000 Applications
Elections Alberta said Thursday that it had received more than 509,000 applications for mail-in voting.
The application process began in mid-July and the number of requests has continued to increase since then.
The figure is several times higher than during Alberta’s 2023 general election, when approximately 60,000 applications for special ballots were received.
Changes to the Rules
One major difference between the two elections is a change in provincial rules.
Under the new rules, voters are no longer required to provide a reason for requesting a mail-in ballot.
However, after receiving their initial referendum ballot packages, some voters raised concerns about an affidavit included with the forms.
The affidavit appeared to require voters to declare that they were unable to vote in person, with a warning that they could face a significant fine if the declaration was not accurate.
Elections Alberta later clarified that the wording was outdated. The agency instructed voters to cross out the relevant section and complete the remaining affidavit as usual.
Elections Alberta Contacts Voters Again
According to Elections Alberta spokesperson Maya Hanrahan, the agency contacted all voters whose ballot packages had been mailed before September 4 to provide them with the correct information about the form.
She said Elections Alberta is making arrangements at various levels to ensure the voting process for the referendum remains organized.
Inmates Will Also Be Able to Vote
Arrangements are also being made for inmates held in Alberta provincial correctional facilities and federal institutions to participate in the referendum.
These voters will use special ballots.
Hanrahan said that if an inmate’s application to vote is approved, Elections Alberta will send the special ballot package to the relevant institution. An election liaison officer at the facility will then deliver the package to the inmate.
How Will Inmates Provide an Address?
Inmates can use different addresses when registering to vote.
They may provide the address where they would normally live if they were not incarcerated, their address at the time of arrest, or the address of the court where they were sentenced.
No Public Data on Inmate Voting Applications
Elections Alberta does not release information about how many people have already voted.
As a result, the agency cannot say how many inmates have applied for ballots for the current referendum.
During Alberta’s 2023 general election, 413 inmates applied to vote.
Why Inmate Voting Matters
Chris Hay, president of Alberta’s John Howard Society, said inmates should be encouraged to vote because participation in the electoral process can be considered part of their reintegration into society.
According to Hay, voting is not only a right but also a responsibility.
He said that if inmates are continually kept away from the rights and responsibilities of society, they may develop a weaker sense of belonging.
Hay said that a reduced connection to society could potentially increase the risk of people returning to crime after their release.
The Issue of Remand Centres
Another important issue concerns remand centres, where people are held while awaiting trial and have not been convicted of an offence.
Hay said there could be thousands of people in remand on voting day who may be unable to cast a ballot because of their circumstances.
He said the average period spent in remand is approximately 21 days.
Hay suggested that mobile polling stations could be established inside remand centres, although doing so would require additional staff and administrative resources.
Alberta’s Largest Voting Event
The October 19 Alberta referendum will contain a total of 10 questions.
One of the questions asks whether Alberta should remain part of Canada or whether the province should hold another, binding referendum on leaving Confederation.
Because of the large number of questions and provincial rules requiring ballots to be counted by hand, the referendum is being described as potentially the largest voting event in Alberta’s history.
60,000 Election Workers Needed
Elections Alberta says it will need at least 60,000 election workers to manage the large-scale voting process.
So far, approximately 48,000 people have applied to work in the election.
The agency particularly needs additional workers in northern Alberta, including areas such as Fort McMurray, Peace River and Grande Prairie, along with several other electoral districts.
The record number of mail-in ballot applications comes as Elections Alberta continues to prepare for a large and complex voting operation. At the same time, the agency faces significant staffing and logistical requirements ahead of the October 19 referendum.
