How To Vote
Our guide on how the Alberta 2026 Referendum works
What are the referendum questions?
On October 19, Albertans will be asked to vote on ten referendum questions.
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Many of us feel helpless to do anything as the October referendum gets closer and the stakes are so high for Alberta. But there are simple things every Albertan can do:
MAKE SURE YOU VOTE! Voter turnout is absolutely critical for this referendum.
So make plans now to ensure your vote will be counted.
Apply for a special mail-in ballot to vote in the referendum. See the “How to Vote” tab on this website for directions on the easiest way to do this
Spread the word about the special mail-in ballots and encourage everyone you know to make sure they vote. Every vote is going to count.
Arm yourself with facts about separatism and the referendum questions so you can talk to friends and neighbours about the potential risks to Alberta. See the “Recommended Reading” tab and listed podcasts on this website.
Share the link to the “Before You Vote” website with your contacts.
Check out the Campaign Sites. They are listed on this website under the “Resources” tab. The campaigns offer a variety of ways you can participate:
Pledge to vote
Get a lawn sign
Offer to volunteer some of your time
Donate money
Purchase campaign merchandise
Check out upcoming local events in your area
Ten ballots? Yep!
October 19 will be a voting day like no other in Alberta’s history. Not only are the questions of vital importance to Alberta’s future, but the process will be like no other we’ve experienced.
Job #1VOTE!!!
No excuses. Make the time, and it will take time if you vote in person. Encourage your friends and family members to vote too. These questions are too important to be decided by only a few Albertans.
Don’t think your vote doesn’t matter, because it does – now more than ever. This referendum has enormous implications for Alberta’s future and every vote matters.
Job #2Register to vote and pick one of three options for voting
First, make sure you are registered to vote.
To vote in the October 19 referendum, you must be a Canadian citizen, be at least 18 years old, and be ordinarily a resident in Alberta.
You can register to vote at any time. Registering in advance of going to the polls will make the voting process faster and easier, so we recommend you check to make sure you’re registered. If not, take a few minutes to register, especially if you have moved, changed your name, if you’re new to voting, or if you have not registered in past elections.
Am I registered to vote? Check here to see if you are registered
Click here to register to vote
Next, pick one of three options for voting.
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If you will be away on voting day or during the dates for advance polls, or you want to skip the long line ups and the time it takes to vote in person, you can vote by using a Special Ballot. This option is available to all eligible voters – you don’t need to provide a reason for requesting a Special Ballot.
This is an important option for voting on the October 19 referendum. We’re expecting historically long waits at polling stations, given the number of ballots and the complexity of the questions. That’s why we advise people to take this option if they can.
The process is simple.
Go to the Elections Alberta site.
Click on Special Ballot Requests Now Open for October 19 Referendum to see the process for getting a special mail-in ballot.
Then click on specialballot.elections.ab.ca and complete an online form.
You can also email info@elections.ab.ca or phone 780-427-7191. You can have the Special Ballot mailed to your home or another address or arrange to pick it up.
Once you’ve received your Special Ballot, you can complete your ballot at any time, but it must be mailed to Elections Alberta and received before 5 pm on October 16, 2026.
You must sign a declaration and provide copies of your identification to prove your name and address.
Important dates to remember:
September 1: Special Ballot packages to be mailed.
October 9 at midnight: Deadline to apply for a Special Ballot
October 16 at 5:00 pm: Completed Special Ballots must be received by Elections Alberta. They cannot simply be postmarked by that deadline – they have to be received. Note that Special Ballots cannot be delivered in person to Elections Alberta – you need to mail it in.
Don’t wait to the last minute! If you choose to vote my mail, apply early enough to receive your ballot and make sure you mail in your completed ballot well in advance of the deadline.
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Advance voting takes place on October 13 – 17 from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Advance voting is a good option if you have not requested a Special Ballot, if you will be travelling, or if you’re otherwise not available to vote on October 19. It also allows you to avoid line-ups on voting day, although there also could also be line-ups at advance polls.
Check Elections Alberta's Where to Vote information to find advance voting locations nearest you. You can vote at any advance voting location in Alberta.
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On referendum day, voting places will be open from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. But because there will be ten (yes ten!) ballots for ten questions, plus a lot of interest in voting on these important issues, expect there to be delays and long wait times.
Remember, you can only vote at the voting location identified for your physical address. Check voting location to confirm the location for where you vote.
Make sure you have the required ID
No matter how you vote, you’ll need to prove your identity and current address. Elections Alberta outlines what it considers acceptable identification you need to provide. This could be a government-issued ID (like a drivers licence or registration card) that includes your name, address, and photo. If your address has changed, you’ll need a second piece of ID showing your current address.
If you don’t have a piece of government-issued ID with your name, address, and photo, you can provide two other pieces of ID, one of which must show your physical address. Alternatively, you’ll need an attestation from someone who authorizes your eligibility to vote. For more information, check out information on the Elections Alberta website at ID required to vote.
Job #3Be prepared
There are ten referendum questions — check out the list of all ten questions on our site. Only one of those questions is about separation. The other nine are about immigration and changes to Canada’s constitution. The first question in the package will be question 10, the separation question. With this question, you place an X beside the option you prefer, either option 1 – to remain in Canada – or option 2 – to begin the legal process for a binding referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada. For the next nine questions, you’ll be asked to answer yes or no to each question.
We encourage you to read the background we’ve provided on each of the questions. Think carefully about how you want to vote and consider the consequences of voting yes or no to nine of the questions, and for either option 1 or option 2 for the separation question.
Job #4Repeat Job #1
On October 19, make your voice heard and your vote count.
Learn the Facts
Information and perspectives on the implications of the Government of Alberta’s October referendum questions.
Separatism
Read our perspectives on the Government of Alberta’s question of our province separating from the rest of Canada.
Immigration
Read our perspectives on the immigration questions being asked by the Government of Alberta.
Constitution Changes
Read our perspectives on constitutional questions being asked by the Government of Alberta.
Who We Are
Before You Vote was created by a small group of concerned citizens troubled by the lack of credible, fact-based information about the issues facing our province and country. We’ve all worked in or near government, public service, media and laws throughout our careers.