Elections Alberta has received roughly 658,000 requests for special ballots for Alberta’s Oct. 19 referendum, 11 times the number received for the 2023 provincial election. About 100,000 of the electors who requested ballots have voted.

The deadline to request a mail-in ballot passed at midnight on Friday. Elections Alberta says completed special ballots must be returned by Oct. 16 at 5 p.m.

Albertans will vote on 10 questions put forward by Premier Danielle Smith’s government. They include whether the province should remain in Canada or hold a second, binding vote on leaving Confederation.

The number of requests in the current referendum is about 598,000 higher than the roughly 60,000 received for mail-in ballots in the last provincial election. The Canadian Press report carrying the figures was first published Sept. 28, 2026. Global News Edmonton said more information was to come.

Based on reporting by CTV News Edmonton and Global News Edmonton.