Some polling stations will have extended hours on the day of the referendum due to delayed openings at some locations that were scheduled to open at 9 a.m. MT. Elections Alberta confirmed on Monday that certain voting sites were late in commencing operations. For example, an elections officer at the Shane Homes YMCA polling station told CBC News that it began functioning at 9:55 a.m. The election organization will release a comprehensive list of stations with adjusted closing times later in the day.
A representative from the provincial election agency stated that voting stations that opened late will stay open beyond the planned 8 p.m. closure to ensure voters have ample time to cast their ballots, resulting in a delay in the announcement of results for Albertans. The referendum on whether Alberta should pursue a second binding referendum for separation from Canada, along with nine other queries related to immigration and the Constitution, is being voted on by Albertans on Monday. Polling stations will be operational throughout Alberta until 8 p.m.
Elections Alberta personnel will commence the counting of advance voting and special ballots at 5 p.m. The election agency reported that 1.3 million individuals had voted before referendum day through mail-in and advance ballots.
On Monday, Elections Alberta spokesperson Maia Hanrahan disclosed that the organization had recruited 47,000 election officers, which she described as a positive response following a recruitment campaign for the referendum. The agency had aimed to hire 60,000 officers but expressed satisfaction with the current number. Hanrahan mentioned on CBC Radio’s Calgary Eyeopener that the staff count was sufficient to manage the voting process and the subsequent tally.
Elections Alberta will prioritize counting Question 10, focusing on separation, before proceeding with questions one to nine. Hanrahan explained that the online results page will be activated once all voting stations are officially closed.
In Calgary, there were minimal delays for early voters like Shannon Shirt, who cast her ballot in the Windsor Park neighborhood around 9:20 a.m. Shirt, a registered voter, expressed relief at the quick and hassle-free voting process. Tearra Johnston, another voter at First Assembly Church, shared her positive experience, noting the ease of voting and appreciating the assistance received in completing a declaration form due to recent changes in her residency.
For comprehensive coverage and real-time analysis on referendum night, viewers can tune in to “Alberta Votes: Referendum Night” starting at 7 p.m. MT on CBC TV in Calgary and Edmonton, CBC Gem, CBC News YouTube, CBC News App, and CBC News Network. Referendum results will also be broadcast live on the CBC Edmonton and CBC Calgary websites. Additionally, “Alberta Morning” on Oct. 20 from 5:30 a.m. MT on CBC Radio One and CBC TV in Calgary and Edmonton will provide further updates.