Voters still came out in droves for the provincial election, despite the pandemic, but most cast a ballot in advance.
New Brunswick’s Chief Electoral Officer Kim Poffenroth says voter turnout was basically the same as it was two years ago.
“In 2018, voter turnout was 66.4 per cent. In this election in 2020, it was 66.14 per cent. So given the circumstances, I consider that a win for Elections New Brunswick.”
Poffenroth says, “Turnout between advance voting and returning office and mail in ballot was approximately 193, 000, give or take. The last election between those, the number were about 133, 000.”
Elections NB is preparing itself for a municipal election that must be held before May of next year.
“We may actually still be in the yellow zone on the pandemic. So, there are definitely lessons to be learned, both things that we have done well, and things that need to be improved, and recommendations that need to be made for potential legislative amendment,” Poffenroth says.