Steady flow of activity
Colchester/Truro polling stations see lots of action
In a word: steady.
That was the way officials at three returning offices described voting activity in the ridings of Colchester North, Colchester-Musqudoboit Valley and Truro-Bible Hill-MillbrookSalmon River during Tuesday’s provincial election.
“I would say it’s absolutely consistent and up some,” said Julie MacKenzie, assistant returning officer for Colchester North.
So too, in Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, according to returning officer Guy Wheeler.
“It’s steady,” he said, of the day’s voting, which began at 8 a.m.
Likewise in Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River, though there was a little drama, Voters cast their ballots at the First United Church in Truro as part of Nova Scotia’s 40th general election May 30.
after seven workers failed to show up at their various stations.
“It was a scramble,” said a worker at the First United Church, Truro polling station.
“It was very unfortunate,” said returning officer Christine Blair. “No one even phoned to say they wouldn’t be coming in.”
One out of the nine available poll booths was about 20 minutes late in opening while staffing replacements were being arranged.
“And that’s the first time that has happened since I became a returning officer in 1998,” Blair said, of not having polling staff members report to work.
To compensate for the delay, the polling station remained open 30 minutes past the hour of 8 p.m. when others closed.
“It’s been quite a day,” Blair summed up. “It’s very busy in Bible Hill.”
For results and reaction of Tuesday’s provincial election, visit trurodaily.com and see Thursday’s Truro Daily News.