Elections Alberta says most referendum voting delays were only 10‑15 minutes

When Albertans headed to the polls last week to decide on the province’s new referendum, a few voters found themselves waiting a bit longer than expected. According to Elections Alberta, however, those hiccups were short‑lived – most lasting just ten to fifteen minutes.

“We’re dealing with a massive undertaking – over ten million ballots being hand‑counted,” said Kevin Duncan, a senior official with the agency. “A few minutes of delay here and there is not unusual when you have that many people casting votes across hundreds of sites.”

Officials say the delays were largely caused by the time it took poll workers to verify voter identification and to manage long lines at busy centres. In rural locations, the wait was sometimes a touch longer because of limited staffing, but even there the average hold‑up stayed within the ten‑to‑fifteen‑minute window.

Critics of the referendum have pointed to the delays as evidence of logistical problems. Duncan counters that the figures are “well within the range we’ve seen in past provincial elections and referenda.” He added that the agency has already begun the painstaking process of hand‑counting every ballot to ensure accuracy.

For voters who experienced longer waits, the agency urges patience and promises that the final results will reflect every valid vote. “Our priority is a fair, transparent outcome,” Duncan said, noting that any irregularities will be investigated in accordance with provincial election law.

As Albertans await the final tally, the message from Elections Alberta is clear: the brief pauses at the polls were expected, and the province’s democratic machinery is humming along as intended.