Third Election Readiness Update Report Released
Election Readiness Update Report
Media Release: April 29, 2021
Elections Nova Scotia – Chief Electoral Officer, Richard Temporale, has released a third update report on Elections Nova Scotia’s (ENS) planning for the 41st provincial general election.
The purpose of this election readiness report is to provide all Nova Scotians an update on where ENS’s election plans stand to date and challenges faced over the past two years including a year’s delay in funding, a global pandemic, and legislative uncertainty.
The report outlines the various ways in which election delivery may change and what the next provincial general election could look like when it is called. This includes voting safety measures to flatten the curve for COVID-19, an anticipated uptake in early voting options, potential challenges with election night vote counting, and the continued need for legislative clarity regarding the proclamation of Bill 225.
“In the absence of a fixed date for the election, Elections Nova Scotia must anticipate the earliest date on which a provincial general election may be called and plan and budget accordingly,” says Temporale. “What is most important at this time is to ensure that we are prepared when the writs are issued to deliver a safe, fair, inclusive and balanced election to the high standards that all voters, candidates and campaign teams have grown to expect.”
ENS previously identified challenges facing election readiness planning in reports published on November 6, 2019 and January 7, 2021.
All the election readiness update reports are available on the ENS website and can be accessed using the following links.
- Election Readiness Update 3 – released April 29, 2021
- Election Readiness Update 2 – released January 7, 2021
- Election Readiness Update 1 – released November 6, 2019
ENS is an independent non-partisan agency that reports to the members of the House of Assembly through the Speaker. Its mandate is to deliver provincial elections impartially and professionally.
Given that the 40th provincial general election was held on May 30, 2017, the spring of 2022 is the latest possible time the 41st provincial general election could occur. ENS has prepared to be election ready as of April 1, 2021 and is now ready to deliver the 41st provincial general election when the writ of election is issued.
Contact: Naomi Shelton
Director, Policy and Communications
Elections Nova Scotia
902-424-3275 or 902-223-4871