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The time has come. After months of ads, debates, complaints, memes, insults, and opinion pieces, we’ve reached the week when Albertans can make their voices heard. You can either put an end to the talk of separation and say no to the nine, or send Ottawa a message at the ballot box. Voting started yesterday, October 13.
Before you leave home
You can vote if you are a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on Election Day, and live in Alberta. Permanent residents are not eligible to vote.
Advance voting is open from October 13 to 17 at locations in your electoral division. On October 19, vote at your assigned polling place, which is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you have not registered yet, you can register at the polling place. Find your polling location here.
Remember to bring ID that shows your name and current address. An Alberta driver’s license with your current address is accepted. If you have moved or do not have one, check for other accepted options before you go.
At the polling station
Take your time with each question and follow the instructions for putting your ballots in the boxes. If you make a mistake, ask a worker for help before you submit your ballot.
Please be patient with the people working at the polling station. The ID checks and separate ballots can take time, but the staff must follow the rules and cannot make exceptions.
If you have questions, feel free to ask. If something does not seem right, you can ask for a supervisor. The staff will do their best to help, but if you have concerns about the voting process itself, those should be directed to the officials who created the rules.
After you vote
It may take some time to get the final results. Workers count the ballots by hand, one question at a time. Elections Alberta will announce the official results on October 29. You can check for unofficial results here as they come in, sorted by question, electoral division, and voting method.
If you need more information, Elections Alberta’s 2026 Referendum page is a helpful resource.
P.S. Don’t forget to vote.
Before you go…
If you found this article helpful, you might also enjoy our weekly newsletter, From the Editor. It’s packed with tips, tools, stories, and guides to help immigrants settle in, find work, and become part of Canadian society.
Dozie Anyaegbunam | Managing Editor