The Right Writs and Other Election Facts

COMMUNICATIONS NS--The Right Writs and Other Election Facts

• ---------------------------------------------------------------EDITORS: This is the third in a series of feature material provided by Communications Nova Scotia as voters prepare to cast ballots in the March 24 general election. Please note time elements in items 3 and 4.

By Communications Nova Scotia Staff

WOMEN'S FIRST VOTE
Women in Nova Scotia won the right to vote, and the right to hold office, in 1918 -- 51 years after Confederation. It would take another 11 years before the British Privy Council recognized Canadian women as "persons" under the law.

Nova Scotia ranked sixth among provinces in giving women the vote

• after Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan in 1916, and British Columbia and Ontario in 1917. New Brunswick followed in 1919, Prince Edward Island in 1922 and Quebec in 1940. Newfoundland was an independent country when women there voted in their first general election in 1928.

Nova Scotia women first voted in a provincial general election in 1920.

THE RIGHT WRITS
The expression "drop the writ" should be dropped from the language, the elections people say.

The phrase, used at the time of election calls, is technically wrong on two counts. First, it should be writs -- 52 in Nova Scotia, one for each electoral district in the province. And second, the writs are issued, not dropped.

The writs are legal Crown documents authorizing the election of members of the Legislative Assembly. After the voting, the documents are returned with the election results to the clerk of the Executive Council.

THE OTHER VOTING DAYS
Nova Scotians can cast their ballots on five days other than on what the elections people call "ordinary polling day," or election day.

The first three days are March 12, 13 and 14 at the special poll. These are for all eligible voters who are unable to vote on March 24 or at the advance poll. If not enumerated -- that is, if not on the official list of electors -- voters are required to make a declaration verifying their identity. They must also declare they will not vote more than once this election.

The special poll is open noon to 9 p.m. on March 12 and 13, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 14.

The other days are March 20 and 21 at the advance poll. Again, these voting days are for people who cannot make it to their polling station March 24. The difference is that they must already be on the voters' list. Voters at the advance poll must make a declaration stating they will be absent on election day, or their designated polling station is not accessible to wheelchairs.

The advance poll is open 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on March 20 and 21.

Both the special and advance polls are at wheelchair-accessible premises. Locations are available on notice of enumeration cards or by calling the district's returning office.

COUNTING ENUMERATORS
Each polling division in each riding requires two enumerators to go door to door together.

With almost 2,500 polling divisions in Nova Scotia, times two, that means about 5,000 enumerators are out this election.

The two enumerators per polling division are nominated by the political parties that finish one-two in the previous election in the electoral district being enumerated. After an election is called, the two parties submit their nominations to the returning officer, who trains the enumerators in his or her district.

If the political parties can't provide enough nominations for enumerators, the returning officer has the flexibility to look elsewhere. "That could mean going to a third political party for individuals, but not necessarily," said Janet Willwerth, acting chief electoral officer.

The enumerators started their work Saturday, Feb. 21, and continue to Thursday, Feb. 26.

THOSE THREE HOURS
A popular misconception about elections concerns time off for employees to vote.

Under Nova Scotia's Elections Act, employers are to allow employees three consecutive hours to vote while the polls are open between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. That, however, doesn't mean booking three hours off.

For example, an employee scheduled to work 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. may leave an hour early, thereby satisfying the three-hour requirement. Or he or she may be able to come in two hours late that morning. Better check with the boss.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For repeats of earlier election features listed below, please e-mail <rossng@gov.ns.ca.>
Feb. 17 --Enumerators: Coming to Your Door Soon
Feb. 20 --Nova Scotia Elections: The Way We Were