Today, should have been municipal election day across New Brunswick.
It was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chief Electoral Officer for Elections New Brunswick Kim Poffenroth says this is an unusual situation, “To the best of my knowledge, there has never been an extension of a term in this manner.”
A municipal election must be held by May 10, 2021.
Poffenroth says once the government decides on a new date, the candidate process leading up to an election will begin again, “There may be individuals who had determined that they were not going to reoffer, that may continue on or vice-versa.”
In the meantime, Poffenroth says Elections New Brunswick is looking at ways keeping voters and employees safe at the polling stations, including the availability of gloves, masks and other equipment.
“Having disposable gloves available at polling locations, and masks perhaps for our workers and different things like that. That’s something we are in the process of doing, and trying to secure those supplies,” Poffenroth says.
