4 questions answered about how to vote in the upcoming provincial election

The first full week of the New Brunswick provincial election campaign is upon us. And while longtime voters might be familiar with the voting process, it might prompt questions for others.

Chief Electoral Officer Kim Poffenroth said Elections New Brunswick has been working to try and educate the public.

"Whether it's new New Brunswickers [or] new voters who are just turning 18 it's helpful to actually understand what the process is."

With voting day around a month away, here are some answers to questions that might come up when preparing to vote.

What if I lived somewhere else during the last election or have never voted in New Brunswick before?

Many voters will have received cards in the mail already. Poffenroth said these were sent to everyone on the voter registry as a way to make sure information is up to date prior to sending the official voter information cards.

If you didn't receive one, or the one you got had the name of someone who no longer lives at that address, Poffenroth said it is important to call 1-888-858-8683, where a staff member will help add you to the list or update your information.

According to the Elections New Brunswick website, anyone who fits the following criteria can vote:

• Must be a Canadian citizen.

• Must be 18 years of age or older on election day.

• Must be permanently living in the province for at least 40 days before the election.

• Must be living in the electoral district, local government or school district on election day.

How do I know what my riding is and who is running?

The electoral riding boundaries were redrawn ahead of this election, meaning that even if you didn't move, you may be in a different riding this time around.

"Don't just automatically assume that the person who you voted for last time, who may be running in this election they may not be the candidate in your new riding," said Poffenroth.

For example, in 2020, Green Leader David Coon won the seat for Fredericton South. While he is running again in this election, that riding was split and his new riding is called Fredericton-Lincoln.

Poffenroth encouraged people to go to the Elections New Brunswick website and click on "Where do I vote?" The screen will prompt you to enteryour address.Then it will show you your riding name, your local returning office, your polling station and the candidates running in the riding.

When and where do I vote?

Election day is Oct. 21, and on that dayyou can go to your listed polling station and cast your ballot.

But there are other options for voting too.

There are two advanced polling days Saturday, Oct. 12 and Tuesday, Oct. 15. Poffenroth said this is important to note, since people may be used to these days occurring on a Saturday and Monday. But because of the Thanksgiving holiday, the second advanced polling day will be a Tuesday.

When looking at your riding information, the advanced polling address will be listed.

The other option for voting would be to go to any returning office in the province. For some people, they might choose to vote at a returning office out of convenience, if they aren't able to vote in advanced polling or on election day, or if they have accessibility requirements, said Poffenroth.

For example, she said the returning office has the capability to offer audio voting for people with visual impairments. The votingmachine has braille on the device andcanbe controlled with a "sip and puff" device, said Poffenroth. The machine can also be controlled by paddles for individuals with limited mobility.

However, Poffenroth said "the returning offices are quite busy because you can vote six days a week throughout the election period."

According to the Elections New Brunswick website, there is also an option tovote by mail, but this requires voters to apply in advance.

What do I bring with me to vote?

Poffenroth said you don't need to bring your voter information card a postcard style mailer with you to the polling station. But she said it will make the process quicker if you receive one and bring it.

If you don't receive a card, Poffenroth said people can go to the Elections New Brunswick website to get the information about their polling station and then go there to vote.

Poffenroth said for those who are not on the voters list and didn't receive a card, it's important to bring ID to the polling station.

"If you're already registered to vote, it's a very simple process," said Poffenroth.

"If you're already registered, you don't need any identification to vote. And if you get on the voters list early enough, you'll get your voter information card, and it will have that information about the advanced polling days, where you vote, when you can vote and also where your local returning office is.

"I encourage all New Brunswickers to inform themselves about the upcoming election and make sure they exercise that all important democratic right to vote."