CBC News collaborated with illustrator Sam Hester and various community media partners to develop and translate a visual handbook for the upcoming October 19 referendum in Alberta. This guide aims to provide essential information. Feel free to download, print, display, or share it with anyone in need. Once published, the download links will be made available.
Key Points to Remember:
– Every Canadian citizen aged 18 or above residing in Alberta is eligible to vote. If unsure about eligibility, refer to the provided link for the eligibility criteria.
– Remember to bring identification with your address when voting. Various options are listed for acceptable identification.
– During voting, you will receive ten color-coded ballots. You are not obligated to answer all questions. You can decline a ballot by returning it to the election worker, who will mark it as declined and place it in a separate envelope. Alternatively, you can leave the ballot blank.
– Your vote is confidential.
Referendum Questions Overview:
– The primary question involves deciding whether Alberta should remain a province of Canada or initiate the legal process for a binding provincial referendum on potential separation.
– If the majority favors separation, a subsequent referendum will determine Alberta’s independence status.
– Apart from the separation question, there are nine yes/no questions addressing immigration and governance issues.
– The immigration questions delve into Alberta’s control over immigration, services for immigrants, and citizenship proof for voting.
– The governance questions cover topics such as Alberta’s judicial appointments, federal senate abolition, opting out of federal programs, and prioritizing provincial laws over federal laws in conflicting areas.
Voting Procedures:
– Mail-in voting is an option available until September 25 to avoid queues. Submit your request via the provided link.
– Advance polls will be open from October 13 to 17, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., allowing voting at any station within your provincial riding boundaries.
– On referendum day, vote at your designated polling station. Polls are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and as long as you are in line by 8 p.m., you can vote.
– Locate advance voting options and your referendum day polling station using the Elections Alberta ‘Where to Vote’ tool (accessible after September 21).
Result Availability:
– Ballot counting will commence on the referendum evening by Elections Alberta workers. CBC News will promptly publish the results as they are released.
– Stay tuned for live result coverage on radio, CBC’s website, TV, or the CBC Alberta YouTube channel. A four-hour referendum special with expert insights will be broadcasted to elucidate the outcomes for Albertans.