News Release
Turnout for Shopping Plebiscite Causes Delays at Advance Poll
(Tuesday, October 12/04)-- The provincial
government’s plebiscite on Sunday shopping is believed to
be the main reason for the unprecedented turnout in Halifax Regional
Municipality at an advance poll over the weekend for the upcoming
municipal election.
More voters turned out to vote in the Advance poll last Saturday,
than the total number who turned out to vote in advance polls on
two separate days in the 2000 municipal election.
In addition to receiving eligible voters in elections for Mayor,
Councillor and the Halifax Regional School Board, polling stations
had to accommodate a large number of citizens wanting to vote in
the Sunday Shopping plebiscite.
Many voters who were only qualified to vote for the plebiscite (that
is, they have been resident in Nova Scotia for three months, but
have not resided in HRM for three months) and therefore, had to
be sworn in and added to the voter list. This resulted in additional
delays at the polling stations.
The Province has ordered that its Sunday shopping plebiscite be
held in conjunction with this year’s municipal elections throughout
Nova Scotia.
Municipal Clerk Jan Gibson said today that Deputy Returning Officers
and Poll Clerks and Supervisors at the polls tried to manage the
polls in a calm and efficient manner last Saturday.
Up until 3:00 p.m., some polls had reported wait times from 45 to
50 minutes. However by 4:00- 5:00 pm. the wait had been reduced
to a steady flow, which is the usual experience with Advance Polls
in a municipal election.
Electors who were not on the voter’s list were asked to show
identification, were given an oath and then permitted to vote.
“Overall, I am happy with the performance of the workers,
who made every effort to handle the large crowds, to give the oath
to those who were not on the list, and to generally ensure that
the voting process is conducted in a fair and impartial manner,”
said Ms. Gibson.
Saturday’s advance poll was the first of three opportunities
for eligible voters to cast their ballots. Another advance poll
is being held today from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m and Regular Polling
day will be held this Saturday, October 16 from 8:00 a.m to 7:00
p.m.
HRM advises that specific questions about Sunday shopping and the
provincial plebiscite should be directed to the Nova Scotia Department
of Justice at 424-6282 or visit its website at www.gov.ns.ca/just
Inquiries may also be directed to Service Nova Scotia at 424-5200
or 1-800-670-4357.
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John O’Brien
Corporate Communications officer
(902) 490-6531
