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EDMONTON — Alberta’s referendum is heading into its final hours after record-setting advance and special-ballot turnout saw more than 1.35 million people cast ballots before Election Day.
Elections Alberta says 1,356,873 Albertans voted in advance or by special ballot, representing 43.1 per cent of the province’s 3,148,343 eligible electors.
That total includes 837,791 advance votes cast between Oct. 13 and 17 and 519,082 special ballots.
By comparison, 809,988 advance and special ballots were cast during the 2023 provincial election, although Elections Alberta cautions the special-ballot figures are not directly comparable because access to that voting method was more limited in 2023.
Polls remain open across Alberta until 8 p.m. Monday, although individual locations may remain open later to accommodate lineups or if they opened later than scheduled.
Albertans are voting on 10 referendum questions covering immigration, access to provincially funded services, proposed constitutional changes and Alberta’s future within Canada.
Question 10 asks voters to choose between Alberta remaining a province of Canada or the provincial government beginning the constitutional process required to hold a future binding referendum on separation.
Ballots will be counted by hand after voting ends, with Question 10 counted first, followed by Questions 1 through 9 in order.
Elections Alberta says its results website cannot go live until every polling location in the province has been confirmed closed.
Once reporting begins, unofficial results will be updated in real time as counts are completed and returning offices confirm and enter the numbers into the system.
Results will be reported by referendum question, electoral division and voting option.
The Referendum (General) Regulation requires counting to be completed and unofficial results published within 48 hours of the confirmed closure of all polling locations.
Elections Alberta says the timing of the count will depend on voter turnout and when the final voting locations close.
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