Voter information card confusion as Elections Nova Scotia cancels process
A Postal Strike Causes Confusion for Voters in Nova Scotia
A pending postal strike in Nova Scotia has created a roadblock for Elections Nova Scotia in issuing voter information cards for the upcoming provincial election, leading to confusion and criticism among voters.
In a recent media release on Oct 31, Elections Nova Scotia announced that they would not be printing the voter information cards due to the potential Canada Post strike, which could disrupt the delivery process for eligible voters. Chief Electoral Officer Dorothy Rice stated in the release, “It was a tough decision not to print VICs, but we wanted to ensure clarity for voters in case of a postal strike.”
Voter information cards typically provide details on where and when registered voters can cast their ballots. This year, voters are advised to use the “where do I vote” tool on the Elections Nova Scotia website to locate their polling station. Voters must bring valid ID when voting, or they can take an oath to confirm their eligibility if they do not have ID with them.
The decision to forgo voter information cards for this election has left some voters puzzled and has sparked criticism from various parties. One individual shared on social media that they received a card in the mail indicating they would receive a VIC, despite Elections Nova Scotia’s announcement to the contrary.
When questioned about this discrepancy, Naomi Shelton, Elections Nova Scotia’s director of policy and communications, explained that the notices mentioning the mailing of VICs were sent out before the decision was made to halt the distribution of the cards. Shelton emphasized that the information cards contain valuable information about voting options and how to access further details.
Criticism and Concerns
According to a Canadian Press article, Liberal Party leader Zach Churchill criticized the decision not to use VICs for the upcoming election, alleging that Premier Tim Houston scheduled the election knowing about the impending postal strike. Churchill also raised concerns about the potential advantage this decision could give to the PC Party, as the party in power often has more resources to communicate with voters.
Additionally, both Churchill and a seniors’ advocacy group have expressed worries about the impact on seniors, who may struggle to find their polling place without the guidance of VICs, especially if they are less familiar with internet usage or have poor internet connectivity.
The situation is further complicated by a phishing scam that Elections Nova Scotia has warned about, where voters are being misled to input their information for online voting registration, despite no internet voting option being available for the general election.
Voters with inquiries about the upcoming provincial election are encouraged to contact 1-800-565-1504. The election is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Nov 26.
