Results as of 3:28 a.m. EDT, Oct. 20, 2026.
Alberta voters overwhelmingly favoured staying in Canada in preliminary referendum results early Tuesday, with more than three-quarters of votes counted on the question opposing a move toward a binding separation referendum.
Eight of the nine other questions were also leaning yes, including three constitutional proposals that had trailed earlier in the count.
The stay-in-Canada option had 1,084,893 votes, or 76.3 per cent.
The option to begin the constitutional process toward a binding separation referendum had 337,396 votes, or 23.7 per cent.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said the vote was a choice for unity.
“Above all, Albertans chose Canada,” he said in a statement posted on X.
Carney pointed to new trading partnerships and major national projects and said Alberta has a central role in Canada’s development as a global energy power.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith welcomed the initial results.
“Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada,” Smith wrote in a post on X.
Smith said she would address Albertans live at 8:45 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday, Oct. 20, to discuss the available referendum results and the province’s next steps.
Elections Alberta had results from 2,776 of 5,586 voting areas and locations. A location counts as reported once it submits at least one question; other questions may be outstanding.
Judicial selection, Senate abolition and the priority of provincial laws had moved to the yes side after trailing earlier in the night. The yes leads on judicial selection and provincial-law priority were about one percentage point each.
No led only on opting out of federal programs without losing associated funding.
Questions six to nine ask whether Alberta should work with other willing provinces to seek constitutional amendments.
The ballot questions are summarized below. Percentages are based on votes counted for each question.
| Question | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Provincial control to reduce immigration, prioritize economic migration and give Albertans first priority for new jobs | 57.3% | 42.7% |
| 2. Provincial program eligibility limited to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and people with an Alberta-approved immigration status | 56.0% | 44.0% |
| 3. One-year Alberta residency requirement for social supports for people with non-permanent legal immigration status | 57.6% | 42.4% |
| 4. Health care and education fees for people with non-permanent immigration status and their families | 56.7% | 43.3% |
| 5. Proof of citizenship for voting in Alberta provincial elections | 61.4% | 38.6% |
| 6. Provincial selection of superior and appeal court judges | 50.5% | 49.5% |
| 7. Abolish the Senate | 52.3% | 47.7% |
| 8. Opt out of federal programs in provincial jurisdiction without losing associated federal funding | 48.6% | 51.4% |
| 9. Provincial laws taking priority over conflicting federal laws in provincial or shared jurisdiction | 50.5% | 49.5% |
The waiting-period and fee questions assume Canadian citizens and permanent residents would qualify for the affected programs as they do now.
Elections Alberta said counting teams would count the Canada question first, followed by questions one to nine in order.
The results are preliminary. Official results are scheduled for Oct. 29.
