Alberta referendum advance voting begins Tuesday

Alberta’s 10-question referendum is scheduled for Oct. 19, with advance voting beginning Tuesday, Oct. 13, as Elections Alberta prepares for heavy participation and a complex count. Voters will be asked about immigration policy, constitutional changes and whether the provincial government should begin the legal process for a binding referendum on separation from Canada. Advance polls will operate from Oct. 13 through Oct. 17. Elections Alberta says there will be 310 advance voting locations, with voters required to cast ballots within their electoral division. On referendum day, Oct. 19, just over 1,400 polling stations are planned. The agency encourages voters concerned about lines to vote early and review the questions beforehand. The 10 questions are on separate ballots. Elections Alberta modelling estimates prepared voters may take about two minutes to mark them, while voters unfamiliar with the questions could take up to four minutes. Some slower readers or people with lower literacy or limited English may need nearly six minutes, the agency said. There is no time limit for completing ballots.