Three hundred and ten advance voting stations across Alberta opened Tuesday at 9 a.m. Voters waiting in line in Lethbridge didn’t want to be interviewed but said they wanted to make sure they got their vote in early. The question for a separation referendum appears to have motivated many to vote. “The very fact that there are so many people turning up at the stations now shows this is truly an issue on which people have become quite engaged, as time has gone along,” said political scientist Trevor Harrison. The referendum appears to be headed toward a high turnout. More than 650,000 mail-in ballots were requested by voters. But a higher turnout doesn’t necessarily mean higher support for the “remain” side. “It comes down to a lot about your passion and commitment to it. And one could say, certainly, listening to some of the speeches and the signage on the part of the separatist faction, that they also are quite impassioned and want their voices heard,” said Harrison. Support for separation appears to have slipped in recent weeks. Though voters who want to remain in Canada but send a message to Ottawa could bolster the separatist vote. “The separatist faction would probably at this point be very happy if they got 30 per cent because they then could continue their fight outside of the legislature for, as they view it, a better deal,” said Harrison. Several federal politicians, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, will be in Alberta this week to campaign for the “remain” side. The prime minister urged national unity during his Thanksgiving address Monday. “We have to be strong, and we are stronger together. Generations of Albertans helped build this country. It’s yours. It’s ours. And it’s worth fighting for,” said the primer minister during his address. Advance voting is available at any location in your electoral division until Saturday. After that, the last chance to vote will be Oct. 19.
