News release

Voting Days and Other Election Fast Facts

Electoral Office

DEAR OCCUPANT
Notices of registration have been mailed to everyone whose name is on the voters' list for the provincial election on Aug. 5.

If you have recently moved into a home, you may receive a notice addressed to the home's former resident. You'll also see, however, that the notice reads "Or Occupant."

That's you.

Janet Willwerth, chief electoral officer, said it's important that current residents open the notice to find their returning office and polling station. They can then contact their returning office to make sure their name is added to the voters' list.


THE OTHER VOTING DAYS
Nova Scotians can cast their ballots on days other than on what officials call "ordinary polling day," or election day.

Voters who are unable to vote on the regular election day (Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.) can cast ballots at the advance polls, held on Friday, Aug. 1 and Saturday, Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m

Special polls are also held at local returning offices on the following dates:

  • Thursday, July 24 from noon to 6 p.m.;
  • Friday, July 25 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 26 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Monday, July 28 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, July 29 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, July 30 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

If a registered voter is unable to vote on any of these days, a write-in ballot is available from the local returning office. The deadline for requesting an application for a write-in ballot by mail is Saturday, July 26 at 8 p.m. An elector using a write-in ballot can vote in person or can ask to vote by mail.


REMOVING BARRIERS

When securing sites for polling stations, returning officers choose premises accessible to voters with disabilities.

In some outlying communities, it can be difficult to find such spaces within reasonable travelling distances. Every effort is made, however, to provide polling stations that are readily and easily accessible to all.

This year the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission also facilitated an agreement that made it easier for deafened Nova Scotians to take an active part in the electoral process.

The agreement, signed by the three main political parties, will help increase the number of close-captioned television advertisements and translations services at public events. It also encourages candidates to make better use of written materials in door-to-door campaigning and the establishment of more TTY lines (devices that allow the use of the telephone by keyboard.)


DID YOU KNOW? In the 1800s voters were often bribed with rum, tobacco and other "desirables." In the 1900s a law was put in place to discourage the habit. It forbade drinking establishments from opening their doors until after the polls closed.

But times have changed. Bars and taverns have been allowed to open regular hours on election day since September 1988. And liquor stores have been allowed to open regular hours since 1993.