Elections Alberta is moving up the deadline to request a mail-in ballot for the upcoming referendum, saying demand from voters is higher than it was during the 2023 general election.
The electoral body also said that it is anticipating a voter turnout of 85 percent—a figure that would surpass the provincial record of 81.8 percent in the 1935 general election.
The original deadline by which voters could apply for a special ballot was Oct. 9, but Elections Alberta said after consulting with service providers, it moved up that date to Sept. 25, two weeks earlier than planned.
The organization said this is done to ensure electors could receive and return their special ballots to Elections Alberta’s Edmonton offices by mail by the legislated deadline of 5 p.m. on Oct. 16….