HALIFAX – Voters in Nova Scotia could cast their ballots in an upcoming election as early as 48 hours after the legislature is dissolved.
That’s much faster than usual — the electorate typically have to wait until voting day to head to the polls. Changes to the Nova Scotia Elections Act will now keep polling booths open six days a week throughout the campaign.
Dana Doiron, Director of Policy and Communications for Elections Nova Scotia said booths will open as soon as possible.
“Once an election is called our offices take about 48 hours to open,” he said. “Anytime after that, except Sunday, an elector in Nova Scotia can vote.”
Eager voters will have a bit of extra work.
Rather than simply marking an “x” on the ballot, early voters may have to write out the candidate’s name and party they are supporting. This is because the deadline for candidates to register is the 14th day of the campaign — ballots with names are officially printed after that.
Doiron said he’s like most other political observers and doesn’t know when the provincial election will be called.
He said he’ll get an advance election warning of about 15 minutes — likely while the premier is travelling to meet the Lieutenant Governor.
After that, Doiron said, “trucks will arrive and start loading within hours,” to distribute election materials, phones, computers and printers to returning offices across the province.
“We’re always waiting,” he said. “We’re always ready to run the election at a moment’s notice.”
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