Provincial Election 2009 | Write-in ballots available to Nova Scotia voters - The Cape Breton Post

The Cape Breton Post: Provincial Election 2009 | Write-in ballots available to Nova Scotia voters:

SYDNEY — Few Nova Scotians vote by write-in ballot but the option is available in the upcoming provincial election.

Elections Nova Scotia’s website says that 2,980 electors voted by write-in ballot in the 2006 general election, compared to 2,782 in 2003.

Dana Doiron, a spokesman for Elections Nova Scotia, said the number represents less than one per cent of ballots cast, compared to federal elections, where the number may be closer to six per cent.

Doiron suggested that until electronic voting becomes a reality in Nova Scotia, which will happen eventually, the popularity of write-in ballots will probably increase.

Elections Nova Scotia has set write-in ballot deadlines of May 27 in person, May 30 by mail and June 6 by agent on each date by 8 p.m.