CBRM News

Voter help kiosks available this week in Sydney and Eskasoni

October 13, 2020 

Voter help kiosks available this week in Sydney and Eskasoni 

SYDNEY, NS - The Cape Breton Regional Municipality's Returning Officer is addressing voter access challenges raised by Chief Leroy Denny by opening a voter help kiosk in Eskasoni.

A kiosk is an internet-connected computer that voters can use to cast their ballot using their voter's letter and PIN. Telephone voting is also available. Those who do not have a letter will be required to sign an oath of qualification, which will be transmitted to the Returning Office and then the voter letter will be issued. 

"Several factors were considered in my decision to open a voting kiosk in Eskasoni," said Returning Officer Deborah Campbell Ryan. "Eskasoni is a remote community with a large number of residents who experience language barriers. There are approximately 2,380 residents of Eskasoni eligible to vote but more than 500 of the voter PIN letters were returned to our office by Canada Post as incomplete address." 

Campbell says she agreed with the unique concerns raised by Chief Leroy Denny and worked with the Band Council to open a voting kiosk to assist those who need help to vote. 

A similar internet-connected voter kiosk has been open and available since October 7 in the lobby of City Hall at 320 Esplanade in Sydney. Mobile voter kiosks are also being deployed to all of the region's nursing homes. 

"My role as Returning Officer to is ensure equitable access to voting wherever possible," said Campbell Ryan. "In this case, several factors posed challenges and barriers to voting for residents of Eskasoni." 

Voters are encouraged to vote from home using their PIN that they received in the mail.  If a voter has not received a PIN they should call the voter helpline: 902-563-8009.  

The kiosk at City Hall in Sydney, 320 Esplanade, is open weekdays until Friday, October 16, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Voters must call 902-563-8009 to make an appointment with a voter help agent before going to City Hall due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

The help kiosk at the Elders Centre in Eskasoni, 19 Medicine Trail Road, will be open from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. until Saturday, October 17. 

Any eligible voter can access the Sydney or Eskasoni kiosks now, or Voter Help Centres on Election Day. 

On Election Day, voting assistance will be available at three Voter Help Centres in CBRM from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Centre 200 – Main Concourse
481 George Street, Sydney

Miners Forum (former BayPlex) – Community Room
151 Lower North Street, Glace Bay

North Sydney Fireman’s Club
14 Pierce Street, North Sydney

No paper ballots are available at any location.

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