Alberta referendum: advance polls open days before separation vote

RESULT: Alberta voted to remain in Canada, ~76% to 24%. Full results: Alberta referendum results. More than 300 advance polling stations – 311, by Elections Alberta’s count – opened across Alberta on Tuesday, October 13, six days before an October 19 referendum that will ask voters whether the province should remain in Canada or begin a process that could lead to separation.

What’s on the ballot

Albertans will answer 10 referendum questions, some constitutional and others not. The 10th is drawing the most attention: it asks whether voters support Alberta remaining a province of Canada or prefer to hold a second, binding referendum on separation. Polling suggests most Albertans would choose to stay — but strategists on both sides warn that low turnout or frustrated federalists using the ballot to send Ottawa a message could tighten the result.

Carney’s Thanksgiving appeal

Prime Minister Mark Carney used his Thanksgiving message to appeal directly to the province he grew up in, recording the video at his former Edmonton high school. “You can’t build big things on fault lines,” Carney said. “Generations of Albertans helped build this country. It’s yours, it’s ours, and it’s worth fighting for.” Carney is expected to campaign in Alberta during the final week, CBC News reported.

The federal government has spent months addressing Alberta grievances: scrapping the consumer carbon tax, designating the Pacific Link pipeline to the West Coast as a project in the national interest and moving to overhaul environmental assessment rules.

A united — and divided — front

The final week features unusual alliances. Former Progressive Conservative premier Jason Kenney and former NDP premier Rachel Notley — longtime rivals — were speaking together at an Edmonton Chamber of Commerce event Tuesday, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre delivers his own unity speech in Calgary on Friday. Separatist group Let Alberta Decide argues a vote for option two gives the province “a credible, viable alternative” in negotiations with Ottawa.

We’ll have full results and analysis on October 19.

Correction – October 25, 2026: An earlier version said advance polls opened “Monday,” one week before the referendum. Elections Alberta opened 311 advance polling stations on Tuesday, October 13 – six days before the October 19 vote – and the Kenney-Notley Edmonton Chamber of Commerce event was also held on Tuesday, October 13. The headline, excerpt and article have been corrected.