Alberta Prepares for Referendum on Separation and Immigration
Elections Alberta is preparing for a record-turnout referendum on October 20 featuring questions on immigration and the province's status within Canada.
Alberta will hold a provincial referendum on Monday, October 20, 2026, featuring 10 questions on immigration policy, constitutional reform, and the province's status within Canada. The most prominent question asks whether Alberta should remain in Canada or hold a binding second referendum on quitting the country. Elections Alberta expects a record turnout of 80 to 85 percent of the province's nearly three million electors, with over 1,400 polling stations operating from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Ahead of the vote, the agency defended its verification processes against social media claims that non-citizens could falsely declare citizenship to vote. The agency stated that non-registered voters must provide accepted identification and sign a legal declaration of citizenship. Lying on this document is an offense under the provincial Election Act, carrying potential fines of up to $50,000 and jail terms of up to two years. The agency noted that voter lists are verified using citizenship status data from the Canada Revenue Agency.
Since 2015, the agency has issued only seven letters of reprimand for voter fraud. One of the referendum questions specifically asks if the province should require physical proof of citizenship, such as a passport, to vote in provincial elections. Results for the separation question are scheduled for release starting Monday night, with the final count expected early Tuesday; results for the remaining nine questions are anticipated by Wednesday.
