Breakenridge: Alberta referendum can't be wished away, but the outcome is within our control
As much as this separation vote seems ill-advised amid a trade war, this could ultimately benefit the federalist cause. There is one large caveat, though — that Canada’s leaders don’t squander the opportunity and hand separatists a gift
As of August 31, over 225,000 Albertans have requested mail-in ballots for the upcoming referendum in October, according to Elections Alberta. This figure represents a significant increase from the 59,589 special ballots issued during the 2023 provincial general election, with only 19,513 of those returned by mail. Political scientist Lisa Young from the University of Calgary believes the surge in requests is due to concerns about potential long queues on referendum day, which she states would likely pose a more complicated situation than previous elections.
Many Alabaster residents, like Jetty Nieuwenhuis, are taking advantage of the mail-in option to avoid potential delays at polling stations. Nieuwenhuis, her family, and friends have all applied for mail-in ballots, expressing their desire to ensure every eligible voter can participate, regardless of potential congestion. To vote in the referendum, Albertans can choose between a special ballot, advance voting from October 13-17, or on referendum day itself, October 19.
Elections Alberta has advised voters to review the referendum questions on their website, familiarize themselves with authorized ID options, and have these documents ready when they arrive to cast their vote.
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