Pictou County amalgamation voting begins today

Residents in Pictou County began casting their votes today ona proposal toamalgamate four municipalities in the region.

The amalgamation plebiscite is using an electronic voting method that allows eligible residents to vote either by phone or online using a specific PIN received through the mail.

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Elections Nova Scotia returning officer Josephine MacDonald says the new method is "the way of the times" and the process only takes about 35 seconds.

"It seems like it's working pretty good right now and it's been used in other places and they've had no problems so we're keeping our fingers crossed," she said.

The plebiscite is open to 30,000residents in the towns ofPictou, New Glasgow,Stellartonand the Municipality of the County ofPictou.

MacDonaldsays more than three per cent of people have already logged on to cast their vote.

Electronic voting is open until midnight May 18. Two paper-only advance polls will be held on May 21 and May 24 ahead of the official voteon May 28.

The results of the vote arenon-binding. The final decision rests with the four councils, who will decide after the plebiscite whether to move ahead with the deal.