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(Image Credit: Elections Alberta)
Polls open until 8 p.m.

Alberta referendum underway on Monday, some unofficial results expected Tuesday morning

Oct 19, 2026 | 10:58 AM

Albertans head to the polls on Monday in a historic referendum that includes a question on separation from Canada.

Polls are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

More than 1.3 million people have already voted by mail or in advance polls. This represents 43.1 per cent of almost 3.15 million eligible voters.

Voters are being asked whether they want to remain in Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on leaving Confederation.

The ballot also includes nine questions on immigration and constitutional changes, with Premier Danielle Smith seeking a mandate to negotiate greater provincial powers with Ottawa.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged Albertans to reject those nine questions.

Elections Alberta says voters must cast their ballots at their assigned voting location based on their ordinary place of residence.

Voters can find their polling location using their Where-to-Vote card or by visiting elections.ab.ca and searching your address.

Eligible voters must be Canadian citizens, at least 18 years old on October 19th, and residents of Alberta.

They’ll also need accepted identification proving their identity and current physical address.

A Where-to-Vote card is not accepted as identification.

Voters will be offered 10 colour-coded ballots, each containing a separate referendum question.

The questions cover issues including immigration, constitutional changes and whether Alberta should hold a second, binding referendum on leaving Canada.

Voters can decline any ballots they don’t wish to complete.

Employers are also required to provide eligible employees with enough time to vote, ensuring three consecutive hours free from work during voting hours.

Once polls close, ballot counting will begin, with unofficial results expected within 48 hours of all voting locations closing.

Unofficial results for Question 10, which asks about separation, are expected by early Tuesday morning.

Elections Alberta said the official results will be announced on Oct. 29 at 10 a.m.

Results will be posted online by Elections Alberta as counts are completed.

— With files from The Canadian Press.