Elections NL says it expects more vote by mail ballots in the next provincial election.

Speculation is high that an election will be called soon.

Chief Electoral Officer Bruce Chaulk says Elections NL is ready as preparations for the next election begin immediately after an election is held, but special considerations have been given to holding an election during a pandemic.

Chaulk says in-person voting will take place, but voters will notice some changes from previous elections.

Additional staff will be brought in to sanitize voting stations, touch surfaces and doorknobs after each voter casts their ballot.

Estimates are that up to 800,000 voters will cast their ballots by mail in British Columbia. Chaulk says if those estimates are translated locally, that could mean up to 60,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians would cast their ballots by mail this time around.