The head of Elections NB is asking New Brunswickers to consider voting early in this election to help shorten lines and reduce wait time on election day.
Kim Poffenroth outlined the measures that will be in place at polling stations in a short video put out by Elections NB.
The process will be familiar to anyone who has gone shopping or run other errands during the pandemic:
Physical distancing requirements will be enforced when electors are voting, and to help with this, election workers will limit the number of electors allowed inside a polling location at any one time.
Election workers will be required to wear masks or face shields as well as gloves during their interactions with the public.
As for voters, they are “welcome” to wear masks, but not required unless physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Elections NB will have hand sanitizer available as voters enter and exit the polling station, and designated workers will clean high contact surfaces and equipment such as the markers used for marking ballots.
Poffenroth says she expects the extra precautions to create bigger than usual lineups on election day, September 14th.
That’s why she’s asking people to consider voting on one of the advanced voting days, or at their local returning office.
Electors can also apply for a mail-in ballot by completing an application and submitting it to their returning office.
Earlier this week Poffenroth cautioned it will take time to open all 50 returning offices to the public and candidates, as practical details like phones and internet are put into place.
CHMA will keep you updated when the returning office for Memramcook-Tantramar is open.
