Alberta preliminary count rejects steps toward separation vote

Alberta voters rejected a proposal to begin legal steps toward a future binding separation referendum, with Elections Alberta’s preliminary count showing about 76% supported remaining in Canada and 24% supported starting that process. The ballot was nonbinding and did not ask voters to make Alberta independent. The unofficial figures were reported early Tuesday as hand-counting continued. The tally on the separation question included more than 1.7 million ballots cast in person, while advance and special ballots had also been submitted. Elections Alberta had not yet calculated final turnout. The figures remain preliminary, and the authority scheduled its official results announcement for October 29. The separation question was one of 10 on the ballot. The other nine addressed immigration, provincial services, voting requirements and constitutional powers, among other issues. Counting on those questions was also continuing, and their eventual outcomes were not established in the preliminary reporting. Premier Danielle Smith said she was pleased by the initial support for remaining in Canada. She was expected to address Albertans Tuesday evening about her government’s next...