Elections Alberta rejected one in five special ballot packages in the October referendum. The rejection rate was 20.3 percent. The rejected ballots were due to missing signatures, incorrect addresses, or incomplete forms.
The referendum, held on October 15, involved over 150,000 special ballots. These were sent to voters who could not attend polling stations. The rejection rate was higher than the usual 15 percent.
This is the second time in three years that a significant number of ballots were rejected. In 2021, 18 percent of special ballots were rejected. The higher rejection rate has raised concerns about voter access and ballot accuracy.
The rejection process is part of the election verification system. Ballots are checked for compliance with legal requirements. The rejected ballots are not counted.
The issue highlights challenges in ensuring accurate ballot processing. Officials are reviewing the process to improve future elections. The results of the referendum are still pending.
