In-person voting has been suspended in 18 districts across Newfoundland and Labrador in the wake of the surge in COVID cases in the metro area.
In a statement, Chief Electoral Officer Bruce Chaulk says his office has experienced significant operational impacts, with many election workers resigning out of fear of interacting with people on election day. He says traditional polls cannot be held without the support of these workers.
The 18 districts affected by the decision are largely in the Metro area. As a result, the drive-thru voting option announced yesterday has also been canceled.
In-person voting in the following electoral districts will be postponed to a later date:
- Cape St. Francis
- Carbonear – Trinity – Bay de Verde
- Conception Bay East – Bell Island
- Conception Bay South
- Ferryland
- Harbour Grace – Port de Grave
- Harbour Main
- Mount Pearl North
- Mount Pearl – Southlands
- Mount Scio
- Placentia – St. Mary’s
- St. John’s Centre
- St. John’s East – Quidi Vidi
- St. John’s West
- Topsail – Paradise
- Virginia Waters – Pleasantville
- Waterford Valley
- Windsor Lake
In all other districts, traditional voting will continue on Saturday, but the results will not be released until voting has concluded in the entirety of the province.
As well, special ballot voting has been extended to all regions of the province, with a timeline in accordance with the two-week circuit break.
Any eligible voter can apply for a special ballot voting kit. The deadline to apply is this Saturday at 8 p.m.
Once mailed out, the kits must be returned to Elections NL on or before Thursday, February 25.
After the application is approved, a special ballot kit will be mailed to the elector and must be returned to Elections NL (via postage-paid Express Post envelope provided or by drop off) on or before Thursday, February 25, 2021.
Anyone interested in voting by special ballot can apply by:
- Submitting an online application at www.elections.gov.nl.ca
- Emailing an application to specialballot@gov.nl.ca
- Printing and submitting an application by fax (709-729-5671)
Applications can be downloaded via Elections NL at this link.
Information on voting, and how to apply for a special ballot voting kit can also be found at Elections NL’s website.
