CORNER BROOK — Even though the byelection to fill the seat vacated by former premier Danny Williams in Humber West has yet to be called, electors can still cast their vote by special ballot.
Isabel Collins is the director of election operations with Elections Newfoundland and Labrador.
She said special ballot voting generally starts four weeks before the issue of the writ, or as close to that as possible.
Electors choosing to vote by special ballot have to go through an approval process and meet the same criteria as someone voting in a general election.
Collins said that includes being 18 years of age on polling day, a Canadian citizen, a resident of the province and a resident of the polling division on election day.
Once approved, electors will receive a series of envelopes which Collins said keeps their ballot secret.
The ballot itself is blank and Collins said voters have a couple of options when it comes to filling it out.
She said if they think a person may run, but that person hasn’t been officially nominated, they can put that name on the ballot.
But that does come with some risk.
“They’re risking the chance that it could be a rejected ballot,” said Collins.
The other option is to put the party name on the ballot.
“Which we kind of advise people to do, unless nomination day has passed.”
Collins said anyone interested in voting by special ballot can contact the Humber West Returning Office in Corner Brook or Elections Newfoundland and Labrador in St. John’s.
The local returning office is located in the Valley Mall and can be contacted by phone at 634-2092. Elections Newfoundland and Labrador can be contacted by phone at 1-877-729-7987 or email at oceo@gov.nl.ca.
