Vote For the Common Good

By Reza Dehaki, CACG Communications Coordinator

Alberta’s 2026 referendum will take place on Monday, October 19, but you don’t have to wait until then to make your voice heard.

Applications to Vote by Mail are now open. Also known as a Special Ballot, Vote by Mail is available to all eligible Alberta electors, and you don’t need to provide a reason for requesting one.

Why wait until October 19? Between work, family, travel, weather, and the wonderfully unpredictable business of being alive in Alberta, Election Day may not always go exactly according to plan. Voting by mail gives you the flexibility to choose a time that works for you, review the referendum questions at your own pace, and get your vote taken care of ahead of time.

And if you know someone who may find it difficult to get to a voting place on October 19 — or who will be away — consider encouraging them to vote by mail, too. A little planning now can make voting much easier later.

Important Dates

Now: Applications to Vote by Mail are open.

September 1: Special Ballot packages begin being mailed. They can also be picked up in person at Elections Alberta’s Edmonton head office.

September 21: Special Ballot packages become available at Returning Offices in electoral divisions.

September 25: Last day to request a Special Ballot. Elections Alberta encourages voters to apply early enough to receive and return their package on time.

October 13–17: Advance voting is available at any advance voting location in your electoral division.

October 16, before 5:00 p.m.: Completed Special Ballot packages must be received by Elections Alberta by mail. Returning Offices will not accept completed Special Ballot packages.

October 19: Referendum Day. Voting places are open 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. You must vote at your assigned voting location on Election Day.

How to Vote by Mail

Electors can secure a Special Ballot by:

Completing the online form at specialballot.elections.ab.ca,
Writing to info@elections.ab.ca, or
Contacting the Returning Office for their electoral division starting September 21.

When voting by mail, you’ll need to sign a declaration and provide copies of accepted identification showing your name and address. Do not send original ID documents.