Notice to Candidates: Campaigning in long term care homes or seniors’ residential facilities is not permitted during General Election 2021.

Our office has been working in consultation with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer and Dr. Fitzgerald has provided the following guidance:

“First, please note that campaigning activities in seniors’ residential facilities is not advisable at this time due to the potential risk of introducing communicable disease, including COVID- 19, into these vulnerable populations. Furthermore, election candidates are encouraged to consider their close personal contacts during the campaign, and to minimize such interactions, particularly if they have loved ones living in residential facilities.”

COVID-19 and Elections NL

Elections will be administered in accordance with provincial public health measures. Elections NL has been working cooperatively with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, and will continue to do so, to determine the best precautions to take for both voters and our election staff.

The following measures will be in the place for the by-election:

• Masks must be worn in all Elections NL facilities, district offices and voting locations.
• Voters and election workers are encouraged to bring their own masks. However, masks will be available for distribution at all voting locations.
• Voters must sanitize their hands upon entry to any Elections NL facility or voting location.
• Each voter will be issued a new pencil to use at the polling stations. Alternatively, voters may bring their own pencil with them.
• Voting compartments will be sanitized after each voter.
• High contact areas, such as door handles, will be sanitized frequently.
• Additional staff will be hired for all voting locations (i.e. the buildings where voting takes place) for the purpose of sanitizing and facilitating social distancing measures.
• Floor decals will be used to facilitate social distancing in offices and voting locations.
• The number of voters permitted inside a polling station at one time may be limited, depending on the size of the building and the number of electors who are waiting in line.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I vote by mail during an election?

Yes. Special Ballot voting is available as a mail-in option. You can download an application here, complete it, attach a photo of your ID and fax or email it to us. When the application is approved, we will mail you a voting kit by Express Post. For more information, visit this link or call 1-877-729-7987.

2. I’m not comfortable being in a busy place right now. What should I do?

Elections NL offers a vote-early opportunity through its Special Ballot process either in-person or through the mail. For more information, visit this link or call 1-877-729-7987.

3. I’m immunocompromised and am nervous to go to the polls to vote in person. Are there other options available to me?

The Special Ballot voting process is available through the mail. You can download an application here, complete it, attach a photo of your ID and fax or email it to us. When the application is approved, we will mail you a voting kit by Express Post. For more information, visit this link or call 1-877-729-7987.

4. I have questions about which voting method might be best for me. What should I do?

If you would like to discuss your voting options with an Elections NL staff member, please call 1-877-729-7987.

5. My parent resides in long term care. How will he/she be able to vote during an election?

Elections NL is currently consulting with the provincial health authorities and individually owned personal care homes to determine the best solution for both election workers and the residents in long term care.

6. Do I have to wear a mask when I vote?

Yes. As per the guidelines put in place by the Chief Medical Officer of Newfoundland and Labrador, non-medical masks are required in all public buildings.

7. Should I bring my own mask?

Electors are encouraged to bring their own non-medical masks to the polls. However, if someone does not have a mask or if they forget to bring it, Elections NL will provide one.

8. Can I bring my own pen or pencil?

All ballots must be marked in pencil. Electors who wish to bring their own pencil to the polls will be permitted to use them. Elections NL will also have enough pencils to supply each elector with a new pencil.

9. What measures will be in place to ensure the safety of voters?

Elections NL has been working in consultation with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer to come up with safety measures for all voters. These measures include:

• Hand sanitizer will be provided when each elector enters a polling station.
• Masks are mandatory and will be available to anyone who needs them.
• Floor decals and signage will be in place to ensure proper social distancing.
• Each elector will be supplied with a new pencil. Or, then can bring their own pencil with them.
• All high contact areas, such as door handles, will be sanitized regularly throughout the hours of polling.
• The voting compartment will be sanitized after each elector.
• Extra staff will be hired to help facilitate social distancing and to sanitize the above mentioned areas.

10. What measures will be in place to ensure the safety of election workers?

Election workers will be provided with masks and hand sanitizer. There will be increased spacing between election workers who work at the same polling station and only Elections NL staff will be permitted to sit at that polling table.