Alberta vote asks whether to begin separation referendum process

Alberta voters are deciding whether the provincial government should begin the legal process for a later, binding referendum on separation from Canada, with advance voting underway and the official vote scheduled for October 19. The ballot does not itself decide whether Alberta leaves the country, and the result was still pending as of October 16. The separation question is one of 10 on the ballot. A vote for the process would ask the government to take steps toward a subsequent referendum; it would not authorize separation. Polling cited before voting put support for remaining in Canada in the high 60s and support for leaving in the low 20s. The 338Canada estimate cited by Quebec sovereigntists showed support for leaving below 25% as of October 11. Those figures are pre-vote estimates, not results. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said she opposes secession and voted for the option to remain in Canada. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew urged Albertans to do the same, saying the country is stronger together. Smith has also argued that voters who want to send a message to Ottawa or gain leverage have other questions on the ballot through which to express those views. The vote has...