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Your turn: Referendum mail-in ballots due, advance polls open soon


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This week's roundup of calls for public engagement begins with a reminder to get your special ballot in the mail or get ready to vote in person in the Alberta referendum.

The referendum asks 10 questions — five regarding immigration policy, four about constitutional matters, and the final about whether Alberta should start the legal process to hold a binding referendum on leaving Canada.

The Alberta government is officially advocating for a yes on the immigration and constitution questions, and the "remain" option on the separation question, though the existence of the referendum in the first place has led the Alberta NDP and advocacy groups like Alberta's Voice to question the UCP's commitment to Canada. Groups such as Let Alberta Decide, Stay Free Alberta, and the Alberta Prosperity Project are urging voters to support separation.

If you are among the 650,000+ Albertans to request a special ballot to vote by mail, you're advised to send it by Oct. 9 to ensure that it arrives by the Oct. 16 deadline. The package must include a photocopy of the front of your driver's licence or ID card with your name and current address showing, or photocopies of two pieces of identification, both of which include your name and one of which shows your current address.

If you don't mail it in time or didn't get a special ballot in the first place, you have two options for voting in person. Advance voting will take place from Oct. 13 to 17. You can cast a vote at any voting location within your electoral division; here's how to find your location.

On Election Day, Oct. 19, you must vote at your assigned location. Polls will be open from 9am to 8pm, and anyone who is still in line when the polls close will be allowed to vote. You should have received a "Where to Vote" card in the mail, but if not, the information is available from Elections Alberta.

Sen. Paula Simons, a vocal critic of the referendum, told Taproot she fears that some Albertans will refrain from voting because they question the legitimacy of the referendum and the intentions of Premier Danielle Smith. "Please don't think, 'It doesn't matter how I vote because the questions aren't legitimate, she'll do whatever she wants, they're totally non-binding," Simons said. "That is all 100% true — and that is not a reason to give up."

Political blogger Dave Cournoyer agreed. "Yes, it's confusing why we're even having to vote on this — a lot of people are still kind of confused and maybe just tuning into this, but I think it's so important to make sure that the turnout is very high for Option 1, staying in Canada, to send a very clear message to this government to stop fooling around with this separatist stuff," Cournoyer told Taproot earlier this year.

Taproot's Karen Unland will further explore these issues with Patrick Lennox, author of the book On Treason, at a LitFest event on Oct. 15.

The Canadian and Albertan flags flap in the wind

Advance polls open on Oct. 13 for the Alberta referendum, where Albertans will be asked whether the province should remain in Canada or start the legal process to hold a binding referendum on leaving the country. (Stephanie Swensrude)

Here are some other opportunities to provide input in the Edmonton metro region:

"Your turn" is Taproot's weekly collection of public engagement opportunities in the Edmonton region. Watch this space every week for opportunities to make your views known. If you know of a request for public input, send it to hello@taprootedmonton.ca.