Frequently Asked Questions
Marking A Ballot
Q. Can I put my own ballot in ballot box?
A. Yes. After the Tabulation Machine Operator verifies the ballot was issued in the polling station by verifying the election officer’s initials on the ballot, the elector will be asked to insert his/her own ballot.
Q. Can I take my ballot outside the polling station?
A. No. Once a ballot is issued, it either has to be put into the ballot box or returned to the Ballot Issuing Officer as a “spoiled ballot”.
Q. Does Elections New Brunswick have Braille Ballots?
A. Braille facsimiles of ballots are only used in Provincial elections (for an MLA). Because of the complex municipal ballot, they will not work in municipal elections. The audio vote solution at the Returning Offices, has Braille on the device for selecting the choice of candidates.
Q. Is a ballot rejected if another mark is used?
A. A ballot is not rejected if the mark clearly indicates which candidate the person is choosing, as long as it isn’t a mark that could be used to identify a voter (for example, your initials, or a smiley face).
Q. What is the correct way to mark a ballot?
A. Mark the ballot with an "X" or fill in the oval beside the name of the candidate chosen. A special marker is provided at the poll.
Q. What is the order of names on the ballot?
A. The names are printed in party order, with the current government party first, then the official opposition party, then the other parties in alphabetical order, and then any independent candidates in alphabetical order by last names.
Q. What causes a ballot to be rejected at the count?
A. A ballot will be rejected if:
it is not marked for any candidate;
it is marked for more than one candidate; or
it is marked in a way that could identify the voter.