Outreach Strategies for the Next Provincial General Election
Outreach Strategies for the Next Provincial General Election
Media Release: July 15, 2021
Elections Nova Scotia – Elections Nova Scotia (ENS) is preparing for the next provincial general election and is committed to planning for the safe delivery of a fair and inclusive election.
Some voter populations have traditionally had lower participation due to barriers such as language and cultural considerations. ENS engages in outreach efforts with these elector groups to help bridge access challenges and ensure all voters can fully exercise their democratic rights. The goal of ENS’s outreach strategies is to build ongoing relationship with special elector communities to ensure their voting needs are understood and met.
Leading up to the 41st provincial general election, there have been three outreach initiatives focused on improving accessibility and inclusivity for First Nation, African Nova Scotian, and Acadian Francophone Nova Scotian voters. To facilitate this work, ENS hired Liaison Officers to work directly with the Frist Nations and African Nova Scotian communities to leverage services and lead this engagement.
“Many members of the communities have been actively involved and participated in previous elections in many different capacities,” says Charlotte Lafford, First Nations Liaison Officer. “As a continuing effort, we want to improve that by connecting further with First Nations community leaders, elders, and youth.”
“I am excited to be assisting Elections Nova Scotia in its efforts to build relationships with Black voters across the province,” says Miranda Cain, African Nova Scotian Liaison Officer. “I feel this work will benefit our communities and help create better awareness and engage in the election process.”
The goal of ENS’s Acadian and Francophone Outreach strategy was to be prepared to provide appropriate election material in French. To achieve this goal, ENS established a French Language Policy to enhance the delivery of election material in French for the 41st provincial general election and over time.
Elections Nova Scotia is a non-partisan and independent agency responsible for conducting provincial elections. For more information, please visit electionsnovascotia.ca, call 1-800-565-1504, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter @electionsns.
Contact: Naomi Shelton
Director, Policy and Communications
Elections Nova Scotia
902-424-3275 or 902-223-4871