New Brunswick

Elections N.B. uses radio, social media to spread the word about Dec. 9 vote

Elections N.B. is concerned about the potential impact the Canada Post strike might have on next month's municipal byelections, with the risk of voter information cards not arriving in mailboxes before New Brunswickers head to the polls.

Postal strike delays distribution of voter information cards that should already be in the mail, says official

A man walking into a building with yellow Vote Here signs
Municipal byelections will be held on Dec. 9. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)

Elections N.B. is concerned about the potential impact the Canada Post strike might have on next month's municipal byelections, with the risk of voter information cards not arriving in mailboxes before New Brunswickers head to the polls. 

Chief electoral officer Kim Poffenroth said voters would normally receive their voter information cards this week.

"Because of the postal strike and the voter cards not arriving at all, Elections N.B. is making every effort possible," she said. 

Poffenroth said radio ads, media interviews and social media are being used to spread awareness. 

"It's extremely important … These municipal byelections don't attract the same attention [as provincial elections], and people aren't as aware they're going on," Poffenroth told CBC Radio's Shift

WATCH | How Elections N.B. is getting information to byelection voters:

Canada Post strike impacts upcoming N.B. byelections

2 days ago
Duration 2:47
The strike by postal workers is creating challenges for Elections N.B. With 10 communities slated for municipal byelections, officials are finding new ways to get voters the information they usually receive in the mail.

The byelections are taking place in 10 communities across the province, and Poffenroth said voter information cards are key to informing New Brunswickers when and where to vote.

Advance voting will take place Saturday, Nov. 30, and election day is Dec. 9 in the following communities:

  • Beausoleil.

  • Belledune.

  • Champdoré.

  • Doaktown.

  • Fundy-St. Martins.

  • Hautes-Terres.

  • Saint John.

  • Strait Shores.

  • Sunbury-York South.

  • Valley Waters.

Poffenroth said people can go to electionsnb.ca to find out more information about the candidates running in their communities.

The provincial election was just last month, but some New Brunswickers are heading back to the polls in December. A byelection is being held in 10 communities...but the Canada Post strike means that voter information cards may not arrive in time. We'll speak with chief electoral officer Kim Poffenroth.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Isabelle Leger is a reporter based in Fredericton. You can reach her at isabelle.leger@cbc.ca

With files from Shift