Kim Poffenroth is the chief electoral officer for New Brunswick. (Tamara Steele/CHSJ News)
If you’re looking to vote, Elections New Brunswick suggests getting your ballot done early.
Chief electoral officer Kim Poffenroth said the goal is to reduce lineups at polling stations on election day.
“Getting out and voting by mail-in ballot, going to the returning office to vote, taking advantage of the advance voting days, and even whatever day they vote, whether it’s on advanced voting or it’s on election day, we are encouraging people to avoid peak times,” she said.
Poffenroth said measures have been taken to ensure it’s safe to vote in a pandemic environment at returning offices.
She said there’s a slightly different procedure, where the voter is processed by two special voting officers. The voter is required to sign a ballot book if applying to vote by special ballot book and if voting at a returning office.
Poffenroth said there’s a separate voting area where the voter can mark the ballot and then submit.
COVID-19 precautions require physical distancing and masks inside.
“Frequently during lunch hour but most often the busiest times for the polls in New Brunswick are immediately after work and after supper,” she said.
“So we’re encouraging New Brunswick voters to help flatten the election curve by taking advantage of those other voting opportunities.”
Election polls are open on September 14th from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. but those aren’t the only ways to vote.
“The advance voting days, which are September fifth and eighth. They can vote on election day, they can apply for a mail-in ballot and vote by mail, they can also go into any returning office in the province and vote for any electoral district in the province,” she said.
Poffenroth said if someone isn’t already on the voters’ list, they can be added at the poll.
