Slide Deck 11: The Voting Process

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 problems do you think this could cause?

Why do you think it is called a secret ballot?

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

Who is qualified to vote in provincial elections?

Who is eligible to vote? To be eligible to vote in an PEI provincial election, you must be: a Canadian citizen at least 18 years of age a resident of Prince Edward Island for the six months prior to the election call

What is the list of electors? Elections PEI manages the list of electors, which lists all electors and includes full names, addresses and telephone numbers. An elector is not required to produce identification prior to voting if their name is on the list of electors. If your name is on the list, you will be issued a ballot to vote.

Voter ID An elector whose name is not on the list of electors may vote after producing government issued ID containing their photograph, current address and name (e.g., driver’s license). An elector whose name is not on the list of electors, and who is unable to produce government issued ID, must produce two pieces of identification that establish their name. One piece must establish their current address.

VIC Card Every registered elector and every valid address in the province is sent a Voter Information Card (VIC) card. VIC cards detail voting options and methods of voting, including contact information for their returning office, polling station(s) and the dates, times and locations of where to vote during advance polls and on election day. Voters are allowed to vote at any advance poll location in the province.

Where do I vote? Each electoral district is divided into smaller polling divisions, which are defined geographic areas. Eligible voters residing within each polling division vote at the polling place designated for their area. Electors can find their polling station(s) on the Elections PEI website, in local newspapers or on their VIC card.

How do I vote in a provincial election? On election day: You can vote in person on election day from 9:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. at your designated polling station. At an advance poll: You can vote before election day. Advance polls are open from 9:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. on the Saturday, Monday and Friday, the 9th, 7th, and 3rd day before the election. By mail-in ballot: Voting by special ballot is available to those who are unable to vote because they are physically incapacitated, away from their electoral division, serving as an inmate, an election officer, candidate, official agent or scrutineer, or living in a remote area.

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

What is the process for voting? Once you confirm your eligibility, you are given a ballot that has the deputy returning officer’s initials on the back. Go behind a voting screen to mark your ballot. Choose only one candidate on the ballot. Hand your folded ballot back to the deputy returning officer to check for the initials. Place your folded ballot in the ballot box.

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 division and the political party they belong to. As long as you clearly mark the ballot for one candidate, your ballot will be valid.

Valid Ballots An valid ballot clearly indicates the choice for one candidate.

Rejected Ballots A rejected ballot is a ballot that cannot be counted because the voter’s intention cannot be interpreted. A ballot will be rejected if: it is not marked for any candidate; it is marked for more than one candidate; or it is marked in a way that could identify the voter.

FINAL THOUGHTS Which local candidate do you think will make the best Member of the Legislative Assembly and why? Which information, events or activities related to the campaign helped shaped your views the most? How do you vote in a provincial election?