How to vote in the provincial election demystified
The upcoming provincial election in Nova Scotia is set to take place on Tuesday, November 26. However, voters may be surprised to find that online voting is not an option this time around. In a previous municipal election, voters were able to cast their ballots online using a unique code sent to them via mail. This time, however, online voting is not part of the provincial voting legislation and was never planned for the 2024 election.
Instead of online voting, Elections Nova Scotia has introduced a new e-Ballot system for early voting. This system involves using a secure tablet to mark the ballot at designated physical voting locations. Early voting using the e-Ballot system began on November 6 and will continue until election day on November 26. On election day, traditional paper ballots will be used at polling stations.
For those who prefer to vote in person, there are various options available. Returning offices in 55 electoral districts are open for early voting from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm. Community polls are also open across the province during the same hours until Saturday, November 23. Advance polls will begin on Saturday, November 16 and run until November 23, with extended hours on November 21 and 22 until 8pm.
Additionally, there is an option to apply for a write-in ballot for remote voting. This allows eligible voters to receive a remote voting kit, complete it, and return it. The deadline to apply for a remote voting package out of district is Sunday, November 16 at 6pm, and for those in district, it is Tuesday, November 26 at 3pm.
As of November 12, 27,541 votes have already been cast early, indicating an increase in early voting compared to previous elections. However, remote voting applications are lower this year, potentially due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on voting preferences.
For more information on how and where to vote, voters can visit the Elections Nova Scotia website. It is important for all eligible voters to be aware of the voting options available to them and to participate in the democratic process on election day.
