An election can be called at any time in Nova Scotia. Once called, however, the Elections Act sets out the results for when the next steps must happen. Here is a sample election calendar:
An Election is called
The Order in Council is passed. This fixes the date of the writ and the
date of the election. The Chief Electoral Officer issues the actual writ
for each of the 52 electoral districts.
The election period is not less than 30 days from the date of the writ.
Election day (ordinary polling day or voting day) always occurs on a Tuesday in Nova Scotia. In our calendar it is Day 0.
Day 30 – Day 25
Within five days of the date of the writ, all Returning Officers will
have received instructions to run an election in their district and must
have issued and posted a proclamation in their office. Proclamations
will also be run in all newspapers. (In the case of by-elections, the
proclamation appears only in the newspapers where the by-election will
occur.) Electors can apply to vote by Write-in Ballot at their returning
office starting now.
Day 12 – Day 6 (Except Sunday)
Special Polls are open for those who cannot vote on election day.
Day 3 – Day 2 (Friday and Saturday before the election day)
Advance Polls are open from 10:00am to 8:00pm
Day 1 - Monday
Final day of preparation for election day. Nova Scotia elections have
been held on Tuesdays by law since the early 1960s. Federal elections
are held on Mondays and this day was considered for Nova Scotia; but
many holidays occur on a Monday. This extra day allows Nova Scotians to
still have their holiday Monday when one occurs. If there is no Monday holiday,
it is an extra day of preparation for the candidates, parties, and Polling
Officials.
Election Day – ordinary polling day or voting day.
Polls are open
from 8:00am to 7:00pm.
