PowerPoint 3: The Voting Process

Opening Discussion Have you ever voted for something before? How was the winner decided? Did you think the process was fair? Why or why not?

Who is responsible for running government elections in the NWT? Elections NWT is the independent, non-partisan agency responsible for conducting territorial elections and referendums (

When is the territorial election? The NWT has fixed-date election legislation, which means that a general election is to be held on the first Monday of October in the fourth calendar year after the last general election. This territorial election was delayed until November 23 rd to avoid overlap with the federal election campaign last month. 2015, 2019, 2023, 2027…

Who is eligible to vote? You are qualified to vote in an NWT territorial election if: –You are a Canadian citizen, –You are at least 18 years of age on election day, –Are a resident of the NWT for at least 12 months prior to polling day If you are an eligible elector, your contact information will be added to the Register of Electors (the voter’s list).

How does the voting process work? 1.Arrive at the polling station 2.Show your proof of identity and address 3.Your name is struck from the voter’s list 4.Receive ballot and go behind the voting screen 5.VOTE by marking and refolding your ballot to keep it secret 6.Return ballot to Deputy Returning Officer

What does a ballot look like? A ballot lists the names of the candidates running in your riding. In the NWT, official ballots include the photos of the candidates, if they chose to submit it.

How do I mark my ballot? Voting is done by secret ballot. No one except the voter knows the choice that was made. The voter must clearly mark the ballot with a single preference for it to be valid (e.g., checkmark, X, shading in).

Declined, Rejected and Spoiled Ballots A declined ballot is a ballot that was refused and returned to the poll clerk, on the grounds of no candidate being satisfactory. A rejected ballot is a ballot that cannot be counted because it was not properly marked. (For example, if you list the candidates in order of preference instead of indicating a clear choice.)  A spoiled ballot is one that was kept separate and never placed in the ballot box because it was mistakenly marked or torn and exchanged for a new ballot.

What other voting options exist? Electors who are away, busy or unable to vote on election day have several options: –Advance voting is being held the 16 th to 19 th of Nov. –Electors can also vote in person the week before the election at the office of the returning officer. –Other options include voting in a multi-district poll, by absentee ballot, or by mobile poll.

Final Thoughts How do you know if you are ready to vote? Why is it important to vote? How can you encourage people to vote?