Alberta voters reject step toward future independence referendum

Albertans have preliminarily rejected a proposal to begin a legal process toward a future binding referendum on separation, with about 76% of counted votes favoring remaining in Canada. The result does not decide independence itself: Question 10 asked voters whether the province should stay in Canada or start the process for a later vote on leaving. Elections Alberta’s preliminary count, reported by midnight, showed 883,641 votes to remain and 278,062 for beginning the process. The figures were among 1,163,148 ballots counted at that stage. The outcome was not a direct referendum on independence, and the reports available Tuesday did not include a completed official count. More than 1.35 million Albertans had cast advance or special ballots before referendum day, about 43% of eligible voters, according to Elections Alberta figures. That total included advance polling and mail-in or other special ballots. The count was delayed after more than 100 polling stations remained open past their scheduled 8 p.m. Monday closing time. Elections Alberta said the locations had opened late, and results could not be released until voting ended. Officials began with Question 10 before moving...