Referendum question phrasing could have major impact on results, poll finds

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal NewsPolitics Referendum question phrasing could have major impact on results, poll finds 'When you're asking a double- or a triple-barreled question, it certainly leaves room for doubt as to what part of the question people are responding to or answering' Author of the article: By Devon Dekuyper Published Sep 21, 2026 Last updated 22 minutes ago 4 minute read Join the conversation Elections Alberta had a technical media briefing and showed a simulated voting station for the Oct. 19 referendum on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. Shaughn Butts/Postmedia Article content Many Albertans would have different answers if the upcoming referendum questions were to be worded differently, a new survey found. Article content In an experiment conducted by the Angus Reid Institute, poll results were collected for the 10 existing referendum questions as they will appear on the ballot, and compared with results for the same questions, but phrased according to Angus Reid’s own best practices for polling. Article content Article content Article content The results showed that Albertans’ answers to the referendum questions would vary significantly, depending on exactly how the question is asked. Article content Noon News Roundup Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content An earlier survey by Angus Reid found that one in five Albertans (21 per cent) described them as difficult to understand, while 34 per cent said the questions are very clear, and 43 per cent described them as mostly clear. Article content “When you think about what one-fifth of the voting population of Alberta would look like, you’re already into potentially hundreds of thousands of potential voters,” said Shachi Kurl, president of Angus Reid. Article content When separated by age demographic, the data shows that more than a third of those aged 18-34 found the questions confusing or difficult to understand. Article content “When you’ve got a third of young Albertans throwing up their hands and saying this is either mostly or completely difficult to follow . . . I think there are big concerns about, first of all, are they going to vote, and do they feel confident in what…