Special ballots allow eligible voters to cast their vote if they are unable to vote during advance voting (October 7–11) or on Election Day (October 20). 

Special ballots may be submitted by mail or in person at the Edmonton Elections office.

1. Apply for a Special Ballot

Applications open August 1. Your special ballot package will be available by mail or for in-person pick-up after the nomination deadline on September 23.

Electors must be registered to vote. If you are not already on the register, you can register as part of your special ballot application by sending a copy of accepted identification.

Your fastest option is to

Request Special Ballot Package

Alternatively, you can request your package using any of these options:


Requests to receive special ballots by mail must be made by 4:30pm on October 13.

Requests to pick up special ballots in-person must be made by 7pm on October 20.

2. Complete the Package

Your package will include ballots for all races you have selected to vote in, detailed instructions and a statement form.

  1. Complete your ballots
    Fill out each ballot according to the instructions provided.
  2. Sign the statement form
    You must sign the statement in the presence of another elector, who will act as your witness.
  3. Include a copy of your identification
    Add a copy of your accepted identification to your package.

3. Submit your Special Ballot

Your special ballot package will include instructions and a prepaid return envelope. To be accepted, ballots must be received by Edmonton Elections no later than 7pm on Election Day (October 20). 

Return your package by:

Mail

  • In Canada: Use the Canada Post prepaid envelope
  • International: The elector is responsible for arranging and covering any international or expedited shipping
     

Tip: Reference Canada Post timelines to ensure the package is delivered by Election Day (October 20).

In person

  • Drop off at the Edmonton Elections office (16304 114 Avenue NW)
    • Until October 19: 9am to 4:30pm
    • October 20: 9am to 7pm

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I qualify to apply for a special ballot?

Any eligible voter who cannot vote in person during advance voting (October 7–11) or on Election Day (October 20) can apply for a special ballot. Common reasons include:

  • Being out of town for work or travel
  • Working at a voting station during advance voting or on Election Day
  • Wanting to vote independently from home
  • Having limited or no access to transportation
  • Celebrating Diwali on Election Day in 2025
When I enter my information and select “look up,” I get a message that says “Sorry, we could not find a matching voter with the provided details.” What should I do?

Select “try again.” Double-check that you are entering your name as it appears on your identification. When entering your address, start with the street address (not the unit number) and select your address from the drop-down menu. If your address includes a unit number, that will be included at the end of the address.

If, after a second attempt, the system does not find a matching voter, select “register and apply” to proceed with your application.

Why am I being asked to provide identification as part of my special ballot application?

If you’re not on the permanent elector register, Edmonton Elections needs to verify your eligibility. You must provide valid identification before you can be added to the permanent electors register and receive a special ballot.

What happens to the identification I uploaded as part of my application?

Your identification is used only to complete your registration. Once your registration is complete, the file is permanently deleted. Only Edmonton Elections staff can access your information during processing.

When will I receive my special ballot?

You can apply for a special ballot starting August 1, but packages will be sent out after the candidate nomination period ends on September 23.

Contact Us

Edmonton Elections

Office Hours
Monday to Friday: 9am-4pm
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: Closed

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Email  elections@edmonton.ca

Phone  780-496-8008

Address  16304 114 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5M 3R8

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