The Alberta referendum entered its counting phase late Monday after polling-place delays pushed back the release of unofficial results across the province.
Elections Alberta said voting locations that opened late or still had voters in line could remain open beyond the scheduled 8 p.m. closing time on October 19, 2026.
The results website could not go live until every voting location was confirmed closed, with the earliest possible final closure set for 10 p.m. local time.
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What is known about the Alberta referendum results
The Alberta referendum included 10 separate questions covering immigration, provincial programs, constitutional authority, equalization and Alberta’s future relationship with Canada.
Question 10 was counted first because it asks voters to choose between keeping Alberta as a province of Canada and directing the provincial government to begin the constitutional process for a later binding referendum on separation.
A vote for the second option would not itself separate Alberta from Canada.
Elections Alberta has described the October vote as non-binding, meaning the result does not immediately change Alberta’s constitutional status or remove the province from Confederation, according to its referendum information.
Why the count is taking time
All 10 ballots are being counted by hand, with separate totals recorded for Election Day voting, advance voting, mobile voting and special ballots.
Question 10 is being counted before Questions 1 through 9 at each voting location.
The process also includes reviews by counting supervisors and returning-office staff before figures are entered into the unofficial results system.
Because the referendum involved 10 ballots for each voter, Elections Alberta warned that the count could take longer than a standard single-ballot election.
The agency reported that advance voting and special-ballot turnout had reached 43.1 per cent before Election Day, representing 837,791 advance votes and 519,082 special-ballot votes.
When Alberta referendum results become official
Results posted during the count are unofficial and remain subject to verification.
Elections Alberta is required to complete and publish the unofficial count within 48 hours of the confirmed close of all voting locations.
The agency has scheduled the official announcement of the results for Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 10 a.m.
That announcement will follow reviews of ballot materials and confirmation of the results by returning-office staff.
What Question 10 could mean
If the option to remain a province of Canada receives the most votes, the October referendum would not create a mandate for the Alberta government to begin the separation process.
If the option supporting a future separation referendum wins, the provincial government would be directed politically, but not automatically constitutionally, toward the next legal step.
Any future attempt to change Alberta’s constitutional status would involve negotiations and constitutional requirements beyond the October vote.
The question therefore represents a vote on whether to begin a legal and political process, rather than a direct declaration of independence.
What happens next
Albertans can follow the unofficial count as Elections Alberta enters results by question and electoral division through its official results website.
The figures may change as additional advance, mobile and special-ballot totals are added and as returning offices verify their entries.
The official results will be the figures formally announced by Elections Alberta on October 29.
Until then, early totals should be treated as preliminary rather than final.
The referendum is expected to shape debate over Alberta’s relationship with Ottawa, provincial jurisdiction and the future of the separation movement, regardless of the final outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Alberta referendum results be official?
Elections Alberta has scheduled the official announcement for Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 10 a.m.
Are Alberta referendum results already final?
No. Results released during the count are unofficial until Elections Alberta completes its verification and officially announces the outcome.
Did Alberta vote to separate from Canada?
Question 10 is not a direct vote on immediate separation. It asks whether Alberta should remain a province of Canada or begin the legal process for a later binding separation referendum.
What was Question 10 on the Alberta referendum ballot?
Question 10 asked voters to choose between remaining a province of Canada and commencing the constitutional process required to hold a binding referendum on whether Alberta should separate.
Why were Alberta referendum results delayed?
More than 100 polling locations faced opening or closing-time delays, and Elections Alberta could not begin publishing results until every voting location across the province had closed.
Fact-Checked: Key dates, counting procedures, turnout figures and Question 10 wording were checked against Elections Alberta information and official releases.
Disclaimer: Referendum figures may change during the unofficial count and should not be treated as final until Elections Alberta announces the official results.