Elections Alberta said Thursday it has received over 290,000 requests for special mail-in ballots ahead of the October 19 provincial vote — nearly five times the number of ballots requested during the 2023 election. The surge in requests coincides with the intensifying debate over Alberta’s future. Elections Alberta Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Dallas Stoesz attributes the increase to recent news about special ballots. But some voters say their ballot packages are missing items. Donna Ogston said she received the first nine ballots but is missing the 10th referendum question, which deals with Alberta separation. “I’ve messaged one person who’s missing a question, and then I’ve been in contact with another person,” Ogsten said. “She says she is aware of other people who have missing ballots.” Elections Alberta said a small number of voters have reported missing questions or ballot packages. “A couple of handfuls right now” of people have reported missing part of their ballot package,” Stoesz said. Stoesz asks anyone who is missing part of their package to contact Elections Alberta. Officials have also cleared up confusion over the elector’s declaration, which includes a reference to possible fines. Stoesz said voters can cross out that part of the form, complete the rest, sign it and send it back. Elections Alberta will accept it. Alberta NDP MLA for Edmonton-Mill Woods, Christina Gray, said the clarification is a step in the right direction, but voters need more information. “That’s why one of our calls today is that there should be a second mailer,” Gray said. Elections Alberta has moved the deadline to request a special ballot from Oct. 9 to Sept. 25 because of high demand. Lori Williams, a political science professor at Calgary’s Mount Royal University, said the change could cause confusion. “If you first thought and publicly announced that they had until Oct. 9 and they’ve now moved it to Sept. 25, that’s really not fair to folks who aren’t getting their information on a timely and regular basis,” Williams said. Elections Alberta is also asking voters to review the referendum questions before election day to help polling stations move more quickly.
