Some residents in Alberta who have received their mail-in ballots for the upcoming fall referendum have expressed surprise and worry over a self-declaration requirement included in the voting package. Emma Wilkins, a voter from Edmonton, shared her dismay upon discovering the self-declaration mandate on the front page of her special ballot. She expressed feeling unsure about the next steps and disheartened by the requirement.
The self-declaration in the ballot package states that voters must confirm their inability to vote in person at a polling station before or on election day before proceeding with the mail-in ballots. It emphasizes potential penalties, including a fine of up to $50,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, or both, for making a false declaration.
Although Elections Alberta clarified that certain self-declarations such as citizenship and age requirements still apply, the specific language regarding in-person voting limitations does not pertain to the fall referendum on Oct. 19. Despite this clarification, some individuals who received the ballot packages expressed concerns and anxiety over the requirement.
Elections Alberta addressed these concerns in a news release, attributing the language to a previous version of the Election Act. The organization stated that voters could still submit their mail-in ballots by crossing out the section related to in-person voting limitations and completing the rest of the declaration.
Wilkins and another voter, Lynn Zwicky, raised apprehensions about the impact of the self-declaration on voter participation. They both applied for mail-in ballots to avoid long lines at polling stations on referendum day. Zwicky highlighted the complexity of the referendum process, which requires separate answers for all 10 questions, emphasizing the importance of voters understanding the issues beforehand.
As of the latest update, Elections Alberta reported 225,000 requests for mail-in ballots, a significant increase compared to the previous provincial election. Wilkins expressed concerns about potential complications arising from the self-declaration requirement, possibly discouraging voters from participating in the election process.
The deadline to apply for special ballots has been moved up to Sept. 25 by Elections Alberta. The Chief Electoral Officer, Gordon McClure, assured voters that they could comply with the ballot submission timeline. The fall referendum, addressing key questions on immigration, the Constitution, and Alberta’s status within Canada, is scheduled for Oct. 19.