Lesson 3: The Voting Process

Elections Newfoundland and Labrador Elections Newfoundland and Labrador is a non- partisan office of the House of Assembly. Responsible for the delivery of provincial elections, by-elections and plebiscites (referendums).

Who is eligible to vote? To be eligible to vote in provincial elections, you must be: –A Canadian citizen; –At least 18 years of age; –A resident of the province the day before polling day; –A resident of the district and polling division on polling day.

How do I receive a ballot? When you arrive at your polling station, the deputy returning officer will ask your name and the poll clerk will check for your name on the official list of electors (the voters list). –If your name is on the list, you will be issued a ballot to vote and your name will be crossed off the list. –If your name is not on the list, you will be required to show ID with your full name, address and signature prior to receiving the ballot.

When to vote? Voting at Regular Polls: on November 30 th from 8AM to 8PM Voting at Advance Polls: on November 23 rd from 8AM to 8PM Voting by Special ballot: (mailing in your ballot) starting October 12 th

Where is my polling station? Electoral districts are geographically divided into polling divisions. Qualified voters residing in a polling division vote at a polling station designated for their area. All registered electors receive a Voter Information Card (VIC) to tell them where and when to vote. The information is also available on the Elections NL website ( or by phoning

What happens at the polling station? 1.The poll clerk writes the name of the voter in the poll book, 2.The deputy returning officer gives the voter a folded ballot, 3.The voter marks their ballot behind a voting (privacy) screen, 4.The voter returns their folded ballot to the deputy returning officer to check that it is a valid ballot, 5.The deputy returning officer either places the ballot in the ballot box or returns the ballot to the voter so they may place it in the ballot box.

How do I mark my ballot? A ballot lists the names of the candidates and their party association running in your electoral district. Voting is done by secret ballot. No one except the voter knows the choice that was made. The voter must clearly mark the ballot for their single preference for it to be valid (e.g., checkmark, X, shading in).

Rejected and Cancelled Ballots A rejected ballot is a ballot that cannot be counted because it was not properly marked. (For example, your ballot is rejected if you try to vote for more than one candidate) A cancelled 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.

Final Thoughts Are you ready to vote? Why or why not? What else do you want to know or research before making your decision? How can you encourage eligible voters that you know to cast their ballot?