The right to vote is a fundamental part of living in a free and democratic society. There are times, however, when circumstances make it difficult to take advantage of this right. A qualified voter may, for example, be out of province during advance and regular polls or be hospitalized outside his or her electoral district on polling day. The Special Ballot provides an alternate means for these people to vote.

Any qualified voter whose name is on the voters list and who has reason to believe that because of absence, illness or incapacity he or she will be unable to vote in the polling division in which he or she is entitled to vote during advance or regular polls may apply to vote by special Ballot. This form of voting also applies to students studying outside the province whose permanent residence is in the province of New Brunswick.

Qualified voters who were admitted to a public hospital between the fourth day and forty-eight hours prior to the closing of the poll may apply and have the ballot returned no later than forty-eight hours before the closing of the poll.

The application for a special ballot may be mailed to the applicant or obtained from the office of the returning officer from the time the writs are issued by an agent, friend or family member who may apply for an application on behalf of a voter. A voter may apply in person if they are going to be away and unable to vote at advance or regular polling days.

The application must have the name of the agent plus the name and the telephone number of the person applying to vote.

The returning officer will telephone the applicant to verify the information on the application.

On or after the close of nominations the special ballot may be mailed or picked up by the agent of the applicant. It will consist of the following information:

• the ballot paper, similar to a regular ballot, with a list of all candidates in the electoral district in which the vote is to be counted;
• an instruction sheet;
• a ballot envelope, and
• a certificate envelope in the form described by regulation.

Place the ballot envelope in the certificate envelope and complete, sign and seal the certificate envelope and return it to the returning officer either by friend, agent, mail or courier.