First e-Ballots Cast in the Preston By-election
First e-Ballots Cast in the Preston By-election
Media Release: July 21, 2023
Elections Nova Scotia – Yesterday, July 20, 2023, voters in Preston were able to cast their ballots in the current by-election for the first time on a secure table using Elections Nova Scotia’s new e-Ballot system. 30 votes were cast via e-Ballot yesterday, July 20, between 9 am – 6 pm at the Preston returning office.
To date (from the start of the by-election until the close of polls on July 20) 204 early votes have been cast in the Preston by-election. Before the close of candidate nominations on July 19, 174 early votes were cast by paper ballot at the returning office in Preston. As of July 20th, all early voting at the returning office and community poll will be done by e-Ballot. On election day, voting in Preston will be done using traditional paper ballots.
The safe e-Ballot system allows voters to select the candidate of their choice on a secure tablet. Once a vote is cast, the e-Ballot system produces a paper voting receipt for the voter to place in the ballot box. E-Balloting allows fast and secure counting of early votes when the polls close on election night. This means the results of the Preston by-election will be returned quickly and efficiently.
The Government of Nova Scotia made amendments to the Elections Act in 2021 to provide authority for e-Balloting. Elections Nova Scotia has developed the secure e-Balloting system and is confident in the integrity of this innovative voting method.
Voters in Preston that have questions about the by-election can call the returning office at 1-888-503-5835.
Elections Nova Scotia is a non-partisan and independent agency responsible for conducting provincial elections. For more information, please visit electionsnovascotia.ca or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @electionsns.
Media Contact:
Naomi Shelton
Director, Policy and Communications
Elections Nova Scotia
902-424-3275
902-223-4871
naomi.shelton@novascotia.ca