Elections Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Voters With Special Needs

 

Need help to mark your ballot?

If you require assistance to mark your ballot, you may bring a friend to assist you. This person will be allowed to go behind the privacy screen with you to help you mark your ballot. Your friend can be your child, grandchild, brother, sister, parent, grandparent spouse or caregiver or, your friend can really be a friend. The only difference is that your family or caregiver can act as a friend for more than just you. Anyone else gets to do this once.

Either way, you and your friend will be asked to make a declaration before you cast your vote.

You can also ask the deputy returning officer to help you vote if you prefer. In this case, if there is an agent representing a candidate present, he or she is entitled to accompany the two of you to observe the assistance given.

What if your polling location is not accessible?

It is mandatory that all locations have level access. Should it Do you need help to mark your ballot? (PDF)ever happen that your polling location is not accessible to persons with physical disabilities, it will be noted on the Voter Information Card you, as a registered voter, will receive in the mail. In this case, contact your returning office and the returning officer will provide you with several options including having the ballot delivered to your home.

Are you visually impaired?

Ask the election officer for the special template that is available at all polling stations just for persons who are visually impaired. This will help you mark your own ballot.

Voting by the deaf and hard of hearing

You can bring a translator with you if you can communicate using sign language.

Voting when you are in a Shelter

If you are temporarily staying in shelter and need the protection of anonymity, contact Elections Nova Scotia or your local returning office for assistance. You will be able to vote with the assistance of a write-in ballot coordinator team and your name and location will be held in confidence.

Voting when you are Homeless

You do not have to be a homeowner or renter to be able to vote in Nova Scotia. As long as you are a Canadian citizen who will be 18 years of age or older on election day, and you have lived in Nova Scotia for six months before the date the election is called, you have the right to vote. The polling station you vote at is determined by where you live.

If you are homeless with no permanent residence, the Elections Act provides that the place where you sleep at registration time – a shelter, hostel or other place that provides food, lodging or social services – may be considered your residence. When an election is called, returning officers will contact the administrators of shelters to inform residents that, if they wish to vote, they may use the shelter as their “place of residence” if they are otherwise qualified as electors. A poster at the shelter will have the location of the appropriate polling locations. When registering to vote, you will be required to complete an application to be added to the list of electors and will be asked for identification with your name and signature.

Forum 29
Almost 60 delegates participated in panel discussions and interactive sessions centred on the topic of how to inspire Nova Scotians living with disabilities to get involved with the political system and democracy. Download Report

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