Which Alberta License Plate Is Winning the Vote? ✅

Edmonton, October 16, 2025 — Albertans are being asked to pick a new face for their province’s licence plates, and the public scramble is on: which design will emerge as the favourite?

Under Alberta’s “Pick a Plate” initiative, residents can vote on one of eight candidate licence plate designs — with backdrops featuring cowboys, mountain vistas, wild rose graphics, and more. 

As of now, no single plate has yet “won”, but early reaction and patterns are already emerging — and some designs are drawing outsized support in online communities and local media.

MORE ARTICLES:

🔍 What Are the Plate Options?

The eight designs include:

  • A cowboy ranch / cattle drive scene

  • A flag + mountain peaks graphic

  • White background with blue numbers

  • White with red numbers

  • Hayfields and mountains

  • Cowboys + oil pumpjack

  • Mount Lougheed & evergreens

  • Moraine Lake in Banff National Park

Each plate also features Alberta’s logo and the provincial motto “Strong and Free.” 

Previously, the slogan on plates was “Wild Rose Country”, which has stirred public debate now that “Strong and Free” is featured. 

🗳️ Which Plate Is Trending?

While final voting results haven’t been declared, public sentiment suggests:

  • Simpler, clean designs (e.g. white-background with blue or red numbers) are drawing support from those wanting functional clarity over busy visuals.

  • Scenic or heritage designs (cowboys, mountains) are resonating with folks who prefer Alberta’s identity elements in the plate.

  • The change in slogan is controversial: many longtime Albertans wanted to keep “Wild Rose Country”, and are critical of the forced shift to “Strong and Free.” 

Redditors and local forums are buzzing:

“Now we can vote on a new license plate — but ‘Wild Rose Country’ is gone, replaced by ‘Strong and Free.’ Did the separatists get involved?” 

So far, the “white with blue numbers plus rose motif” and “cowboy heritage” designs appear to garner strong informal backing online.

🌄 Why the Plate Change — and Why Now?

  • The government argues that updating the licence plate brings reflective technology improvements and a fresh visual identity. 

  • The slogan swap ties into broader identity discussions — “Strong and Free” is identical to lines in the national anthem and is seen by some as politically loaded. 

  • Some see the change as a distraction from more pressing issues, like education, health care, or budget priorities. Critics on social media are vocal about that. 

📌 What Happens Next?

  • Voting is open only once per person via the Alberta “Pick a Plate” portal. 

  • After the public vote, the winning concept will be finalized in detailed artwork before being produced. 

  • Once chosen, the new plates will gradually replace the current ones across Alberta.