Slide Deck 9: The Voting Process

Who is qualified to vote in provincial elections?

Who is able to vote? A person is qualified to vote in a New Brunswick provincial election if they are: a Canadian citizen; 18 years of age on or before election day; has been or will have been a resident in the province for a period of at least 40 days immediately before the election; will be living in the electoral district on election day

Who organizes provincial elections? Elections New Brunswick is responsible for organizing provincial elections in New Brunswick. Their job is to make sure that provincial elections are fair, protected and honest. To do this, Elections New Brunswick must be non-partisan (independent, not associated with a political party).

What is the voters list? Elections New Brunswick manages a list of all citizens that are eligible (able) to vote in provincial elections You must be on the voters list to vote When you arrive at the polling station, you are required to state your name and address to the election officer so that they can find your name on the voters list.

Voter Information Card A personalized card is sent by mail to every person whose name and address appears on the voters list. The card contains individual information such as the address of their returning office, polling station(s) as well as the dates and times of advance and ordinary polling. You are not required to show ID when voting in a New Brunswick provincial election.

Where do I vote? Each electoral district is divided into several smaller geographic areas. Eligible voters living within each area, vote at the polling station selected for their area.

How do I vote? On election day: You can vote in person on election day from 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. at your assigned voting location. At an advance poll: You can vote before election day. Advance polling is open 9 and 7 days prior to the election from 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. By special ballot: There are other ways to cast your ballot if it is not possible to vote on election day or at an advance poll. In person, at your returning office By mail By home visit if you have a disability and require assistance By hospital visit in participating hospitals

Why is it important to have options for when and how to vote?

Did you know that a long time ago elections were held in public Did you know that a long time ago elections were held in public? Voters would have to hold up their hand to express their choice. What potential problems do you think this would cause?

What is the process for voting? A election official greets you at the polling station and directs you to the appropriate table. Once you confirm your eligibility, you will be given a secrecy sleeve carrying your ballot Go behind a voting screen to mark your ballot. Choose only one candidate on the ballot. Hand your folded ballot back to the poll official to check for the initials. Place your folded ballot in the ballot box.

Why do you think it is called a secret ballot?

How do I mark my ballot? Voting is done by secret ballot. No one except the voter knows the choice that was made. A ballot lists the names of the candidates running in your electoral district and the political party they belong to. The voter must clearly mark the ballot for only one candidate (e.g., checkmark, x, shading in).

Counting Ballots An accepted ballot clearly indicates the choice for one candidate. A rejected ballot is a ballot that cannot be counted because the choice is not clear or they voted for more than one person. A spoiled ballot is a ballot that has been kept out of the ballot box because it was mistakenly marked or torn and exchanged for a new one.

Closure How will you prepare to vote? How do you know if you are ready to vote? How can you encourage grown-ups that you know to cast their ballot?