Elections Nova Scotia Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Voter FAQ
How does an election start?
How can I get a map of an electoral district or polling division? How much does it cost?
How can I work in the next election? What are the positions and the pay?
How can I check to see if I am on the List of Electors?
I want to vote in the next election. Can I?
Can British subjects vote?
Who is allowed to be present in a polling station during an election?
I'm a student living at university. Where do I vote?
See the section Student Voting.
How long does the election period last?
Not less than 30 days from the date of the writ.
Who is my Returning Officer?
All Returning Officers' information is posted on our website only after an election has been called. See the Electoral District Finder for more information.
I won't be here for election day. Can I still vote?
Yes. You can vote at the Returning Office Poll, Advance Poll, or by Write-in Ballot.
I am living in a women's shelter and don't want my location to be known. How can I vote?
We certainly respect your circumstances. You can still vote on election day. You will have to complete a Certificate to Vote. You can also vote at any Returning Office, Advance Poll , or by Write-in Ballot.
Where do I vote?
Check your Voter Information Card, which you should receive in the mail about two weeks after an election is called. If you have not received one, contact your local Returning Officer (find your returning officer).
Is my vote secret?
Yes.
Can anyone come behind the voting screen with me?
Yes. If you require assistance casting your vote you can have someone come behind the screen with you. Also, parents may bring a child with them to have them become familiar with the process.
Can homeless people vote?
Yes. Click here for more information.
Can prisoners vote?
A. Yes. They must vote by write-in ballot. See Incarcerated Voters..
I was told my employer has to give me three hours off to vote. Is that true?
Yes and no. You are entitled to have three consecutive hours available to vote while the polls are open on election day, but the time you take must respect your employer's needs. For further information, see discussion of time off to vote.
Is there any leeway in voting after 8:00 pm on election day?
The Deputy Returning Officer at the polling station will take note of how many people are still waiting to vote at 8:00pm. The polls may stay open until these people have voted. Anyone arriving after 8:00pm cannot vote.
What is a mobile polling station?
If required, a separate polling division is created for one or more long-term care facilities. A Returning Officer can establish a mobile polling station which is like a "traveling polling station" which goes to each facility for no less than 3 hours to allow voting by electors at the facilities.
Candidates and Parties FAQ
Can a candidate have more than one official agent?
No. Section 168(2) of the Elections Act contemplates more than one official agent for a party but no equivalent provision is in the Elections Act for candidates. Section 170 - 171 of the Act speaks in terms of one person having this responsibility.
What is a registered party?
A registered party is a political party which has been registered by the Chief Electoral Officer under section 180 of the Elections Act.
How many registered political parties are there in Nova Scotia?
There are 5 registered political parties in Nova Scotia:
Atlantica Party Association of Nova Scotia
Website: www.atlanticaparty.ca
Green Party of Nova Scotia
Website: www.greenparty.ns.ca
Nova Scotia Liberal Party
Website: www.liberal.ns.ca
Nova Scotia New Democratic Party
Website: www.nsndp.ca
The Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia
Website: www.pcparty.ns.ca
Political Contributions FAQ
May I make a donation to a political party in Nova Scotia?
Yes, an individual resident in Nova Scotia may make a political contribution to a party, a candidate or an electoral district association. Organizations (corporations, partnerships, unions, etc.) may not.
Is there a limit on the amount I can contribute?
Yes, an individual can contribute a maximum of $5,000 annually to each registered party, its candidates or its electoral district associations.
Can corporations, partnerships and trade unions make political contributions?
No, only an individual resident in Nova Scotia can make political contributions.
Why is there a limit on contributions I can make when none previously existed?
In 2007, public funding for registered political parties was introduced. At the same time a limit on contributions and rules about who can contribute were established.
Can a political contribution be made in cash?
Yes, however cash contributions are restricted to a maximum of $100.
Who may accept a political contribution?
Only the official agent of the recognized party, candidate or electoral district association may accept a political contribution.
Can I loan money to a recognized party, candidate or electoral district?
Yes, however you need to be aware of a number of rules regarding loans. The most important is that a loan that is not repaid is deemed to be a political contribution and subject to the $5,000 annual contribution limit.
What if I contribute more than $5,000 annually?
The law makes it your responsibility not to contribute more than allowed. The law prohibits registered political parties, candidates or electoral district associations from accepting contributions that exceed the limits.
Where do I find the law on political contributions?
The law regarding political contributions is in the Elections Act. Also refer to a guideline on the contributions rules prepared by the Chief Electoral Officer.
Public Funding FAQ
Do political parties receive public funding in Nova Scotia?
Yes, registered parties do.
What levels of public funding do political parties receive?
The funding is based on a formula contained in the Elections Act. Elections Nova Scotia publishes payments made to date.
Nova Scotia Election Information
Does Nova Scotia have fixed election dates?
No. The government can call an election at any time by passing an Order in Council calling an election. Election day is always on a Tuesday, not less than 30 days from the date of the writ.
What is the maximum time a government can hold office?
The House of Assembly can continue for five years with an extra 40 days after the issuing of the writs for a general election.
How many Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are there in Nova Scotia?
There are 51 elected MLAs in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly; one from each electoral district. The next Provincial General election will be held in 51 electoral districts as determined by the 2012 Report of the Electoral Boundaries Commission.
What is an Electoral District?
An electoral district, often called a riding or constituency, is a geographical area whose residents are represented by one member in the House of Assembly. Electoral district boundaries are set out in the House of Assembly Act.
Who is my MLA?
Find out using the Electoral District Finder.
Is my MLA still my MLA during an election?
Technically, no. The passing of the Order in Council calling the general election dissolves the House of Assembly. If there is no House, there can be no members. The Executive Council (Cabinet) remains intact.
General FAQ
What is the difference between a by-election and an election?
A by-election is held in just one particular electoral district to fill a vacancy in the House of Assembly because a member has resigned, been expelled, or died. An election, also called a general election, is held in all electoral districts at the same time.
Why do we have a List of Electors?
Qualified electors in Nova Scotia are entitled to one vote each. By maintaining a List of Electors we can ensure votes are being cast fairly. It also helps us prepare statistics that tell how many eligible Nova Scotians are voting. And the List speeds up and simplifies the voting process for voters at the polls.
How is the List of Electors maintained?
We update it using many different sources. On an ongoing basis, Elections Nova Scotia selectively uses data from a number of sources including the Registry of Motor Vehicles, Vital Statistics, the Nova Scotia Civic Address File, Elections Canada, municipal elections and field work done by Returning Officers and Elections Nova Scotia staff. Many electors contact our office directly to be registered on the List. During enumeration we go physically from door-to-door to update the List.
Is my information on the List of Electors kept private?
Yes. Personal information on the List of Electors is only used for election purposes.
When was the last general election in Nova Scotia? How many have there been?
Nova Scotia has had 40 general elections. The most recent was on May 30, 2017.
Can politicians advertise when no election has been called?
Yes. The Elections Act does not prohibit advertising outside an election period. However, all forms of advertising are subject to the rule that every advertisement relating to an election that promotes or opposes any candidate or recognized party shall bear the words "authorized by the official agent for [name of candidate or recognized party]" and must indicate on whose behalf the advertisement was published.
Are there any rules governing the political activities of federal public service employees?
The Public Service Employment Act, provides a new regime for governing the political activities of federal public servants. The Act recognizes the need to balance the principle of an impartial federal public service with the rights of public service employees to engage in political activities. For more information, please visit: http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/plac-acpl/index-eng.htm or contact the Public Service Commission of Canada's Political Activities Directorate at 1-866-707-7152, by facsimile at 613-995-7699 or by email at pa-ap@psc-cfp.gc.ca
Are there any rules governing the political activities of provincial public service employees?
Please refer to the Political Activity Rights of Nova Scotia Government Employees issued by the Nova Scotia Public Service Commission.