CHARLOTTETTOWN, P.E.I. -- Prince Edward Islanders can cast their ballots electronically in the province's plebiscite on electoral reform that began Saturday afternoon.

Elections P.E.I. says the online and telephone polling effort is the first in Canada to employ electronic voting on a province-wide scale.

Once registered voters verify their credentials and PIN via an online portal, they can weigh in on what electoral system they want.

Islanders are being asked to rank as many as five options on their ballots on a one-to-five scale in order of most to least preferred.

Chief electoral officer Gary McLeod says electronic voting began at noon on Saturday and will continue until Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.

Islanders who prefer to cast their ballots in person can do so at 22 polling stations across the province on Nov. 4 and Nov. 5.

Elections P.E.I. will release updates about what percentage of Islanders have turned out for the plebiscite throughout the 10 days of voting.