Elections NL says they’ve received approximately 20,000 applications for special ballots.

In a statement, Chief Electoral Officer, Bruce Chaulk, says Newfoundland and Labrador’s move to Alert Level 5 has caused significant anxiety.

According to Chaulk, his primary responsibility is to the staff at Elections NL to ensure a safe working environment. They are in the process of having a deep clean completed and are restructuring the working environment to separate staff members. This has caused a delay in answering phone calls in a timely manner. Currently, the voicemail boxes are full, but Chaulk believes those issues should be resolved later today.

In the meantime, anyone with internet and computer access at home is encouraged to apply for a special ballot online. Chaulk says It is a simple process, beginning with completing the digital form directly on the Elections NL website and upload a picture of some form of identification that shows your name and current address. Elections NL does not require photo ID.

He says they are also hearing the concerns of people all throughout the province regarding accessibility to computers and internet and the inability to provide identification digitally. Chaulk suggests. if you are able, to continue to try and reach Elections NL on the phone. If they can verify that you are on the voters list, you will be issued a voting kit.

Chaulk admits that the situation remains fluid and the office will be reevaluating the deadlines announced to ensure that are able to assist as many people as possible.