Voter information card confusion as Elections Nova Scotia cancels process

A pending postal strike has stopped Elections Nova Scotia from issuing voter information cards for the upcoming provincial election, causing confusion and criticism for some voters.

According to a media release on Oct 31, Elections Nova Scotia has decided not to print the cards due to the potential for a Canada Post strike which could interrupt the process of eligible voters receiving their voter information cards. “It was a difficult decision not to print VICs,” says Chief Electoral Officer Dorothy Rice in the release, “but we wanted to make sure there was a clear message for voters if there is a postal strike.”

VICs typically contain information on where and when registered voters can cast their ballots. This year, voters will be expected to find their voting location by using the “where do I vote” tool on the Elections Nova Scotia website. Voters are asked to bring their current ID with them when they vote—if they do not have a valid ID or did not bring it with them, they can take an oath to attest their eligibility.

The decision to hold VICs for this election has left some voters confused and has drawn criticism from others. One X user posted that they had received a card in the mail saying they would receive a VIC despite Elections Nova Scotia saying otherwise.

When questioned on how this occurred, Elections Nova Scotia’s director of policy and communications, Naomi Shelton, replied in an email that the slips referring to the mailing out of VICs were sent before the decision was made to not send the cards.

“We understand the information cards do mention VICs and we’ve highlighted that in all our communications to media and voters since our decision regarding the VICs,” says Shelton. “The information cards have lots of valuable info about voting options and how to get connected to get further information.”

Criticism

A Canadian Press article says Liberal Party leader Zach Churchill was critical of the decision not to use VICs in the upcoming election, stating that premier Tim Houston “timed this election when everybody was aware that there was a pending postal strike.”

He also said it would give an unfair advantage to the PC Party, as they have more resources as the party in power to communicate with voters.

Furthermore, both Churchill and a seniors’ advocacy group have said seniors would be impacted by the lack of VICs as they are typically less familiar with the internet and may have trouble finding their voting place. Those with a poor internet connection may also be adversely affected.

This is compounded by a phishing scam that Elections Nova Scotia has become aware of. Shelton told CityNews that the scam is asking voters to input their information to register for online voting. “There is no internet voting option in the general election,” says Shelton.

Those with questions about the upcoming provincial election are asked to call 1-800-565-1504. The election is set to take place on Tuesday, Nov 26.