**** Elections Nova Scotia Release
Voter Information Cards (VIC) are in the mail
All registered voters on the Nova Scotia Registry of Electors will receive a personal Voter Information Card (VIC) in the mail for the 41st provincial general election. VICs provide information on the different options available and indicate the closest voting locations. The VICs for the 41st provincial general election are in the mail now and should arrive in mailboxes later this week.
Eligible voters can vote without a VIC. A voter can be added to the Nova Scotia registry of Electors when they vote with ID or they can take an oath to attest to their eligibility. If there are errors in the VIC a voter receives, they can bring it and have their information updated when they vote.
To be eligible to vote in the 41st Provincial General Election, you must be 18 years of age or older on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, a Canadian citizen, have lived in Nova Scotia since January 17, 2021.
There are many options to vote safely. Voters in Nova Scotia can apply to vote from home using a write-in ballot, or vote safely in-person at returning offices, early voting locations, and on election day. COVID precautions are in place at all voting locations to ensure voter safety. Voters are asked to wear a mask, sanitize their hands, maintain physical distance, and bring their own pen.
During the early voting period (until Saturday, August 14), voters can vote anywhere in Nova Scotia, not just in their electoral district. Voters can still vote early on Monday, August 16, at the returning office in their electoral district.
On election day, Tuesday, August 17, voters may vote at their assigned voting location or the returning office in their electoral district. Voting will be open from 8 am – 8 pm on election day.
4 Days Remaining to Apply On-line or by Mail for a Write-in Ballot
Elections Nova Scotia – One way to vote safely in the 41st provincial general election is to apply to vote by mail using a write-in ballot. Eligible voters in Nova Scotia who wish to vote by write-in ballot, can apply on-line at electionsnovascotia.ca or by mail, or they can contact the returning office in their electoral district. The on-line application tool will be available until 6 pm on Saturday, August 7, 2021.
It is important for voters to understand the deadlines to apply for a write-in ballot and when and how to return their completed write-in ballot kit so it can be counted.
Write-in Ballot Application Deadlines
The deadline to apply on-line or by mail for a write-in ballot is Saturday, August 7 at 6pm.
The deadlines to apply for a write-in ballot in person or by agent are as follows:
- Saturday, August 14 – 6pm (out of district)
- Tuesday, August 17 – 3pm (in district)
All write-in ballot kits must be returned before the close of voting on election day to be counted, that is, 8 pm on Tuesday, August 17, 2021. Voters are asked to please allow adequate time to their write-in ballot can be returned by the deadline.
Voters can also ask someone they trust who is at least 18 years old to act as their agent to help them apply for and return their write-in ballot. Voters can call their returning office if they need assistance with the write-in ballot process. Returning Officers can even make arrangements for a write-in ballot team to visit voters at home if necessary.
Once a write-in ballot application is approved by Elections Nova Scotia, the voter will be sent a write-in ballot kit with instructions.
Elections Nova Scotia is a non-partisan and independent agency responsible for conducting provincial elections. For more information on the 41st provincial general election, please visit electionsnovascotia.ca, call 1-800-565-1504, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter @electionsns.
