Voters head to the polls in new Acadian Cape Breton riding

The newly-created Acadian riding in Nova Scotia had its first election on Tuesday.

Tuesday is voting day in the new constituency of Chéticamp-Margarees-Pleasant Bay, N.S., an exceptional Cape Breton riding established by the province to better represent Acadian voters.

Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters must be at least 18 years of age, a Canadian citizen, reside in Chéticamp-Margarees-Pleasant Bay and have lived in Nova Scotia since Nov. 23, 2025.

Nova Scotia’s Electoral Boundaries Commission was tasked with creating the new electoral district carved from Inverness, N.S., which was officially announced on Feb. 26.

“Acadians were the first Europeans in Nova Scotia, and the Acadian people and their rich culture and traditions shaped Nova Scotia. This new riding honours that,” said Attorney General Scott Armstrong in a news release at the time.

Residents are encouraged to bring Voter Information Cards (VIC) and ID to the polls, though there are still ways to participate without either.

“Voters without current ID can take an oath to attest to their eligibility and vote. Eligible voters can be added to the list of electors when they vote,” reads a news release from Elections Nova Scotia.

Voters can also find information on their VICs or on the Elections Nova Scotia website on where to vote.

Those wishing to apply for a write-in ballot kit have until 3 p.m. on Tuesday to apply. Kits must be returned by 8 p.m.

As of May 24, there were 3,923 registered voters in the area.

Early voting began May 26, drawing in a total of 1,350 early votes cast at returning office continuous polls, community polls and write-in ballot applications.

With fewer than 4000 eligible voters, political scientist Tom Urbaniak says each vote plays a big role in determining the outcome. He adds whoever is elected will have a say in Francophone issues province-wide and the Houston government has a lot to win or lose here.

“They think a lot is at stake, the PCs do, because if they can win this riding it will send a message to the rest of Nova Scotia that maybe the decline in momentum is not as great,” he said.

With files from The Canadian Press

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