The October 19 referendum is an important moment for Alberta. To help Calgarians participate, this document provides practical information about voting, including employer and employee responsibilities on voting day, advance voting, and identification requirements.
Three ways to vote
There are three ways to vote in the upcoming referendum:
- Special ballot: If voters cannot vote at an advanced voting location or on election day, or prefer to vote by mail, they can request a special ballot. Applications will be accepted until September 25, and packages will be sent out starting September 1. Elections Alberta must receive electors’ packages by 5 p.m. on October 16.
- Advance voting: Electors may vote during the advance voting period, October 13 to 17, between 9:00am and 8:00pm at any advanced voting location in their electoral division. Be aware that voting hours may vary for some advanced locations.
- Voting day: Voting locations will be open from 9:00am to 8:00pm on October 19. Electors must vote at their assigned voting location in their electoral division on Election Day.
Elections Alberta is anticipating high demand at voting locations on voting day. Electors who want to avoid potentially longer wait times can consider advanced voting or voting by special ballot.
Identification requirements
Electors will need to be registered to vote in the referendum, consistent with provincial elections. Registering in advance makes the voting process faster and easier and avoids having to register at the voting location.
To vote, you must have proper identification and current address. You will need to:
- Provide one piece of Government-issued photo ID, including your full name, current address, and photo, or
- Provide two pieces of ID, both containing your full name, and with one showing your current physical address, OR
- Have an authorized signatory complete an attestation form.
Employer obligations
The Election Act of Alberta sets out requirements for employers to allow for employees to take time off for voting. The requirements are as follows:
- Electors should have three consecutive, non-work hours to vote during one of the days of advance voting or on Election Day.
- If an elector’s work schedule does not allow for the three consecutive hours, the employer must provide extra time off. The employer retains the right to determine when to give the employee time off, whether it is on any of the days of advance voting or on Election Day.
- When the extra hours are provided by the employer, the time given must be paid, and no penalty may be imposed on the employee taking time off to vote.
- The extra time off is for voting purposes only.
Conclusion
There are multiple ways to vote and have your voice heard. A referendum provides Albertans with a direct opportunity to express their views on specific questions put to them by government. Regardless of how you choose to answer the ten questions, take the time to understand what is being asked, make an informed decision and participate in the October 19 referendum. For more information on the October 19 referendum read our explainers The Ten Questions Explained and Referendum 101.
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