The 55 returning officers are appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council to serve in each electoral district in the province. They assist the Chief Electoral Officer in making it possible for voters to exercise their right to vote. Reporting to the Chief Electoral Officer, the returning officer is responsible for the administrative conduct of the election within the electoral district. A returning officer acts as a financial and human resource manager, strategic planner, personnel recruiter, mediator and public relations officer.

The job starts with preparations long before an election is called and continues long after the votes are tallied. Polling stations and possible office locations are sought when an election call is imminent. As soon as the writs are issued, offices must be open and returning officers must hire staff and train the dozens of election officers needed to enumerate and compile the official list of voters in order to ascertain that every eligible voter has an opportunity to have his or her name placed on the list.

As well, the Returning officer must receive nomination papers and deposits and advise candidates on rules affecting them as well as manage write-in ballots, hire and train many elections officers to operate the polling divisions on advance polling days and regular election day, ensure that polling stations are accessible for voters with special needs and see to the printing of ballots and all advertising in their electoral district.