The Government of New Brunswick announced early voting at municipal offices ahead of the May 11 elections. Those who wish to cast their ballots early can do so beginning Monday at any of the 18 returning municipal offices open for the elections. Voters across the province are set to cast their ballots to elect mayors, councillors, members of rural district advisory committees and district education councils the same day. “This voting option offers greater flexibility to voters who might not otherwise be able to cast their vote during the scheduled voting times,” says Kim Poffenroth, municipal electoral officer for the province, in a news release. The offices are also equipped with assistive technology, including a braille controller, “sip and puff” systems, and paddles that allow people to vote through an audio session. With printed ballots now available, Poffenroth notes the municipal returning offices will start processing the requests received for mail-in ballots. All mail-in ballots must be returned to the office from where they were issued before 8 p.m. on election day. Mayoral races add ‘excitement’ to election Paul Harpelle, director of communications and outreach for Elections NB, said there are many factors that influence what the final voter turnout will be like. “In these elections we have quite a few contests for mayor where there are three or more people running for that pivotal position in their communities,” said Harpelle. “Whether you’re looking at Tracadie, Miramichi, Fredericton, Moncton, Dieppe. So that in itself can lend to a little bit more of excitement, more signs and more awareness and we just hope that that will sort of trickle down into people showing up and coming out to vote.” Harpelle said they are working hard to keep voters aware of the dates for advanced voting and election day through the use of social media, movie theatre, and radio advertisements. “We’re doing our best to at least get that awareness up,” he said. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
