Albertans are to vote this October on a slew of referendum questions on immigration and constitutional matters, proposed by the provincial government. Photo by Azin Ghaffari /Postmedia

Article content

With just over two months until Albertans head to the polls to have their say on immigration, separation and the constitution, Elections Alberta says it has received 25,000 applications so far in response to its efforts in recruiting 60,000 workers for the fall referendum.

Article content

Elections Alberta launched the largest recruitment campaign for electoral workers in the province’s history in early June for the Oct. 19 referendum. According to the agency, returning officers have already begun to reach out to successful candidates.

Article content

Article content

Article content

“We are still actively recruiting and believe this is a great opportunity for Albertans to be involved in democracy and see first-hand how secure the election process is,” Elections Alberta said in a statement to Postmedia.

Article content

Article content

The agency is encouraging interested groups such as sports and fundraising teams, high school friends, and community groups to apply.

Article content

Article content

In early June, Elections Alberta said with 10 ballot questions on the fall referendum, a minimum of 60,000 workers will be needed to hit the 48-hour deadline to complete the unofficial ballot count.

Article content

Elections Alberta will be printing 45 million ballots — exceeding both the 1.8 million ballots cast in the 2023 provincial general election and the 19.8 million ballots cast in the 2025 federal election.

Article content

The 10 questions will include a two-pronged question related to whether Alberta should stay in Canada and if the province should begin the legal process to hold a binding referendum on Alberta’s independence. There will also be five questions related to immigration, and four constitutional questions.

Article content

The province launched a website earlier this spring which is home to the referendum questions, along with additional information.

Article content

Article content

Ahead of the Oct. 19 referendum, eligible voters can apply to vote via mail-in ballots, which is a valid way to vote for all 10 questions on the referendum.

Article content

Article content

Once an application is received, a Vote by Mail package will be mailed to the address provided by the elector, which will include a prepaid return envelope and all 10 referendum question ballots. Special Ballot packages will begin mailing to electors on Sept. 1.

Article content

A cost is yet to be determined and Elections Alberta said it will submit a budget to the legislature this fall.

Article content

Article content

Article content

Article content

Article content