Alberta referendum set for Monday after advance voting ends

Advance voting in Alberta’s referendum ended on October 17, according to Elections Alberta’s calendar. Election day is Monday, October 19. [3]

Substantial early participation

CityNews, citing Elections Alberta, reports more than one million ballots received by 10:30 p.m. on October 15, including 491,000 special ballots. These figures reveal no results on voters’ choices. [4]

Mark Carney urged Albertans to remain in Canada in Calgary on October 15, The Canadian Press reports. He warned of divisions that a move toward separation would cause. [2]

What the ballot asks

Elections Alberta sets voting day for October 19. Question 10 offers a choice between remaining in Canada and starting the legal process for a future binding separation referendum. The result of this question is not binding. [1]

Disagreement on the other questions

The Canadian Press reports that Danielle Smith says she voted to remain in Canada. She supports the other nine proposals, which Carney opposes. [2]

The scope of the vote

Those proposals address immigration, access to certain public services and constitutional changes, among other issues. The upcoming vote therefore does not itself amount to a decision on independence. [1]