Voter Interest High on First Day of Advance Voting in Alberta Referendum High voter turnout marks the first day of advance voting in Alberta's separation referendum, with close to 175,000 voters casting their ballots. Edmonton - The first day of advance voting is in the books in Alberta's separation referendum - and the numbers suggest voter interest remains very high. Elections Alberta says close to 175,000 voters trekked to the polls on the first day of advance voting on Tuesday, with the official polling day set for Monday. A spokesperson for the agency says that's higher than the daily average of nearly 152,000 people seen during the advance voting period in the 2023 provincial election.Record voter turnout expected at polling stationsMichelle Gurney says a few polling stations stayed open late to accommodate the people in line, including one that was open until 11 p.m., three hours after it was supposed to close. Elections Alberta has said it's expecting record voter turnout for Premier Danielle Smith's 10-question referendum, which includes one on whether the province should hold a second, binding vote on separating from Canada.The province saw unprecedented interest in mail-in ballot requests last month, and the agency says two-thirds of the roughly 658,000 special ballots requested have now been returned. This level of engagement is consistent with the high level of voter enthusiasm that has been building across the province. According to Gurney, voters are coming out in large numbers to cast their ballots, with some polling stations reporting long lines and crowded rooms.Gurney adds that Elections Alberta is prepared to handle the high number of voters, with extra staff and resources on hand to ensure that the voting process runs smoothly. In the 2023 provincial election, the daily average of advance voters was nearly 152,000 people. This year, the numbers are even higher, with close to 175,000 voters casting their ballots on the first day of advance voting.Mail in ballot requests reach high levelsThe high level of voter engagement has been matched by a corresponding increase in mail-in ballot requests, with two-thirds of the roughly 658,000 special ballots requested having now been returned. The agency is expecting a record voter turnout for Premier Danielle Smith's 10-question referendum, which includes one on whether the province should hold a second, binding vote on separating from Canada.