How to vote in the provincial election demystified

Correction: A previous version of this article asserted that the lack of online voting was due to an impending Canada Post strike, when in fact it’s because it’s not a part of the provincial voting legislation and was never planned for the 2024 provincial election. We deeply apologize for this error. (Nov 14, 2024)

Those voting in the upcoming provincial election will notice a stark difference from the municipal one that just took place—there is no option to vote via the web.

The lack of a digital option may seem confusing. The last municipal election used an online system where a code was mailed to the residences of eligible voters, who could then input the code on the voting website and cast their ballot electronically.

This absence—and the confusion around it—is even more apparent as Elections Nova Scotia introduces its new e-Ballot method for early voting, which obviously sounds like something happening online/electronically. But no. The “e” in this case just means that instead of using a pencil to mark the ballot, voters will use a secure tablet when they go to an offline, physical early voting location. All early voting from Nov 6 onward will use the e-Ballot system, while voting on the Nov 26 election day will still use pencils and paper ballots.

According to Elections Nova Scotia, online voting is actually not a part of the provincial voting legislation, meaning that it cannot be used during the election.

The bottom line is that if you’re a registered voter in Nova Scotia, there are a few ways you can vote. But none of them are online, and most options require going in person to a designated voting location.

If you plan to vote early—before Tuesday, Nov 26—you will have to use the new e-Ballot system at an early voting location. The e-Ballot is fairly simple—voters select their chosen candidate on the secure tablet, and a ballot is printed off to be placed in the ballot box. Elections Nova Scotia states in a press release that e-Ballots allow votes to be counted quicker and more securely, and will hasten reporting the results of the election.

Paper ballots were used in early voting before Nov 6 and will be used exclusively for election day voting on Nov 26. However, the voting locations for early voting and election day voting may differ.

All voting locations are available to see using the “Where Do I Vote” tool on the Elections Nova Scotia website, which requires inputting a civic address or allowing the map function to access your location. While this is useful, it may be difficult for some to comprehend the rather messy map. Voters having trouble determining voting locations are asked to contact their returning office or the public call centre at 1-800-565-1504.

There is an option to apply for a write-in ballot courtesy of Elections Nova Scotia. This method will see a remote voting kit given to those eligible, which they must receive, complete and return. To apply, voters have to contact their returning office and ask for information on how to do so. Those who need assistance may ask someone who is at least 18 years old to help them apply for and return their ballot, though write-in ballot teams from their local returning office can also visit the voter’s home. The kit will either be delivered in-person or by courier. The deadline to apply for a remote voting package out of district is Sunday, Nov 16 at 6pm. The deadline for those in district is Tuesday, Nov 26 at 3pm.

According to Election Nova Scotia, 27,541 votes have been cast early as of Tuesday, Nov 12. Early voting is up across the board compared to 2021’s statistics. Only remote voting is falling behind with 1,044 applications processed this year compared to 3,937 votes cast in 2021 during the same 14-day period—potentially due to the COVID-19 pandemic making remote voting a more attractive option during the last election.

For more on how and where to vote, visit Elections Nova Scotia’s website. The provincial election will be held on Tuesday, Nov 26.

Some other things you should know:

Returning offices in 55 electoral districts are open for early voting from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm.
Community pills are open across the province from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm until Saturday, Nov 23.
Advance polls begin on Saturday, Nov 16 and run until Saturday, Nov 23.
All early voting locations will have extended hours on Thursday, Nov 21 and Friday, Nov 22, open until 8pm.