Online and telephone voting opens today for Halifax Regional Municipality election

Municipalities across Nova Scotia are gearing up for the upcoming fall elections.

Every four years, the general election in the province is held on the third Saturday in October, meaning the next one is set for Oct. 19.

For residents of the Halifax Regional Municipality, advance online and telephone voting opens today, Oct. 8, at 8 a.m. and runs until Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. Information on how to vote online or by phone was mailed to residents on the list of electors during the first week of October.

Residents need their unique PIN in the mailed letter in order to vote online or by phone. 

Those who didn't receive a letter can contact the voter helpline for assistance at 902-490-VOTE or 1-844-301-VOTE.

Advance in-person voting in the Halifax area will take place from Oct. 12 and Oct. 15 between noon and 8 p.m. Voters can find out where they can cast their ballot by entering their address here.

While candidates continue their campaigns ahead of voting day, here are answers to some of the questions voters might have.

Who is eligible to vote in municipal elections?

Rules for voter eligibility are laid out in the Municipal Elections Act and are the same across the province. Section 14 of the act states that to be eligible to vote: 

• You must be 18 years old.
• A Canadian citizen on the first advance polling day.
• A resident of Nova Scotia and the municipality you're voting in for at least six months prior to the first advance polling day.

How do I vote in the municipal elections?

Voting methods are set by each municipality individually and can include in-person by print ballot, telephone, mail, and online. Residents can check with their local municipality for more information on how to vote. Here are how the province's municipalities and towns are allowing people to vote:

Regional municipalities

Cape Breton – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: in-person.
Halifax – For advance voting: telephone/online/in-person. On election day: in-person.
Queens – For advance voting: telephone/online/in-person. On election day: telephone/online/in-person.
West Hants – For advance voting: telephone/online/in-person. On election day: telephone/online/in-person.

County municipalities

Annapolis – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Antigonish – For advance voting: in-person. On election day: in-person.
Colchester – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online/in-person.
Cumberland – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online/in-person.
Inverness – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Kings –  For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Pictou – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Richmond – For advance voting: in-person. On election day: in-person.
Victoria – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).

District municipalities

Argyle – For advance voting: telephone/online/in-person. On election day: in-person.
Barrington – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: in-person.
Chester – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Clare – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: in-person.
Digby – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
East Hants – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Guysborough – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Lunenburg – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Shelburne – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
St. Mary's – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Yarmouth – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: in-person.

Towns

Amherst – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Annapolis Royal – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Antigonish – For advance voting: telephone/online/in-person. On election day: telephone/online/in-person.
Berwick – For advance voting: telephone/online/in-person. On election day: telephone/online/in-person.
Bridgewater – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Clark's Harbour – For advance voting: in-person. On election day: in-person.
Digby – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Kentville – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: in-person.
Lockeport – For advance voting: in-person. On election day: in-person.
Lunenburg – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Mahone Bay – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Middleton – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only)
Mulgrave – No voting in Mulgrave this year. Mayor and four councilors acclaimed.
New Glasgow – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Oxford – For advance voting: telephone/online/in-person. On election day: telephone/online/in-person.
Pictou – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Port Hawkesbury – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Shelburne – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Stellarton – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Stewiacke – For advance voting: telephone/online/in-person. On election day: telephone/online/in-person.
Trenton – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Truro – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Westville – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Wolfville – For advance voting: telephone/online. On election day: telephone/online (electronic only).
Yarmouth – For advance voting: telephone/online/in-person. On election day: telephone/online/in-person.