Elections New Brunswick, Canada

When and Where to Vote


I will be away from my home/I am leaving for a trip… How can I vote?
If I'm working on polling day do I get time off to vote?
How much time do I have for voting on Election Day?
When are the advance polling days?
Where do I vote?
How can I vote if I am temporarily in the hospital?
How can I vote if I live in a home for the elderly or in a chronic care facility? (These are electors who reside permanently in the institution. These electors do not have another place of ordinary residence.)
How do I vote if I am overseas with the Canadian Forces?

Q.  I will be away from my home/I am leaving for a trip… How can I vote?

A.  You may vote at the Returning Office if not leaving before the date when Special Ballots may begin to be issued. If not, arrangements may be made by the Returning Office to provide a mail-in Special Ballot once they become available.



Q.  If I'm working on polling day do I get time off to vote?
How much time do I have for voting on Election Day?


A.  All employees must have three consecutive hours off work while the polls are open (between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on election day). If your work day starts after 10:00 a.m. but before 1:00 p.m., or ends after 5:00 p.m. but before 8:00 p.m., your employer only has to give you enough time off to give you three clear hours while the polls are open. Employees scheduled to work must be paid for the time off for voting.



Q.  When are the advance polling days?

A.  The first advance polling day is 9 days prior to the election. The second advance polling day is the Monday, 7 days prior to the election.

You also have the option to vote using a special ballot. You can do so by visiting any returning office anytime during their normal hours of operation until 8 pm on Election Day. You may also apply for a special ballot to be sent to you by mail by contacting your returning office. You do not have to provide a reason to vote by special ballot.



Q.  Where do I vote?

A.  If you received a Voter Information card in the mail at your current address, and the name and address information on it is correct, you may vote at one of the locations shown on the back of the card.

You also have the option to vote using a special ballot. You can do so by visiting any returning office anytime during their normal hours of operation until 8 pm on Election Day. You may also apply for a special ballot to be sent to you by mail by contacting your returning office. You do not have to provide a reason to vote by special ballot.

You may also search for this information on our website.



Q.  How can I vote if I am temporarily in the hospital?

A.  Arrangements may be made by the Returning Office to provide Special Ballots with a scheduled individual appointment. Contact the Returning Office as soon as possible to allow the officials to schedule your appointment.



Q.  How can I vote if I live in a home for the elderly or in a chronic care facility? (These are electors who reside permanently in the institution. These electors do not have another place of ordinary residence.)

A.  Contact the Returning Office to determine if your facility is going to have an additional poll come to the building on or before Election Day and go from bed to bed.

If not, alternate arrangements may be made by the Returning Office to provide Special Ballots either on a scheduled basis during the election for the facility, or on an individual basis by appointment.



Q.  How do I vote if I am overseas with the Canadian Forces?

A.  Members of the Canadian Forces have special voting rules when voting in a federal election. In NB, there are no special provisions, and soldiers who are unable to vote at the ordinary or advance polls may use a Special Ballot to cast their vote.