July 8, 2026· Global News
Elections Alberta Proceeds With Referendum Petition Signature Verification
Elections Alberta has begun verifying roughly 302,000 signatures on the separatist petition after a court allowed the process to continue during an appeal, with results due by July 27 ahead of the October 19 referendum.
Elections Alberta is proceeding with signature verification on the "Stay Free Alberta" separatist petition, after a judge ordered the process to continue while an appeal is underway. The petition was quashed weeks after its May submission when a judge ruled it violated provincial law and required First Nations consultation, but a later ruling allowed verification to move forward.
The group claims about 302,000 signatures, well above the roughly 178,000 needed to force provincial action. Verification results are expected by July 27, 2026. Premier Danielle Smith has said the appeal process could take months, making a binding vote on separation this fall unlikely — the referendum itself is still slated for October 19, 2026.