Updated October 15, 2026

Advance voting for Alberta’s referendum opened on Tuesday, and election officials are expecting record turnout of 80 to 85 per cent, according to Global News. Voters will weigh in on 10 questions, including a question about Alberta remaining a province in Canada. For many working Albertans, having their say in this referendum matters a great deal. But fitting it around a work schedule is another story.

At the Workers’ Resource Centre, we believe that no one should have to choose between a paycheque and participating in democracy. The good news is that you are entitled to time off to vote in accordance with Alberta’s Election Act. Here’s what you need to know before October 19.

Your rights at work: 5 things to know

1. You’re entitled to three consecutive hours to vote.
   Every eligible voter must have three hours in a row to vote, outside of work, while polls are open. On October 19, polls are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Advance voting runs until Saturday, October 17, with the same hours, at any advance location in your electoral division. If you already had three free hours on an earlier advance voting day, such as a day off on Tuesday or Wednesday, your employer may not owe you any extra time.
2. If you don’t have 3 consecutive hours to vote outside your working hours, your employer must give you time off.
   Let’s say you work 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on every voting day, from now through October 19. That leaves you one hour before your shift and two hours after it. Neither leaves enough time to vote, so your employer must make up the difference. They could let you start at noon, or leave at 5 p.m., on any voting day. If you work 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., you already have three free hours between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., so no extra time is required.
3. Time off to vote must be paid.
   Your employer can’t dock your pay or penalize you for taking time off to vote. Under the Election Act, doing so is an offence. The time is for voting only, so head straight to your polling station.
4. Your employer gets to choose when you get time off to vote.
   Workers do not get to pick the time when they take time off to vote. Your employer can choose any advance voting day or October 19, whichever works best for their operation. With only a few voting days left, make sure you have that conversation with your supervisor or manager today.
5. If you’ve already voted, you won’t get extra time off.
   If you already cast your ballot by mail or at an advance poll, your employer doesn’t have to give you more time off.

Who can vote: check before you ask for time off

To vote in the referendum, you must be a Canadian citizen, 18 or older, who lives in Alberta. Albertans who are permanent residents and people on work or study permits can’t vote, so the time-off rule doesn’t apply to them.

Before Monday, take a minute to check your schedule against the polling hours. If it doesn’t add up to three free hours, talk to your supervisor now.

If your rights aren’t respected: keep a record and get help

If your employer refuses to give you time off to vote, cuts your pay or treats you unfairly for taking it, write down what happened while it’s fresh in your mind. Keep pay stubs, emails and text messages, and note the date and who you spoke with.

Then, contact the Workers’ Resource Centre right away. You don’t have to sort it out alone. Our caseworkers can help you understand your options, free of charge. You can also get in touch to ask questions to better understand your right to paid time off for voting. Contact us to get started.

From all of us at the Workers’ Resource Centre, we wish every working Albertan a smooth trip to the polls.

This article provides general information, not legal advice. For questions about the referendum itself, contact Elections Alberta.