Elections New Brunswick

Elections N.B. is a non partisan body. The Chief Electoral Officer, appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, has the mandate to exercise general direction and supervision over the administrative conduct of elections, to enforce on the part of the election officers fairness, impartiality and compliance with the Elections Act and Municipal Elections Act and to issue to election officers such instructions as are necessary to ensure effective execution of the Elections Act.

This office is responsible for all of the planning, coordination, reporting and monitoring of provincial elections and by-elections, local government elections and plebiscites and district education council elections.

Elections N.B. must be ready at all times for the call of an election or by-election. Its head office is located in Fredericton, and as soon as an election is called, a returning office is opened in each electoral district.

Elections N.B. employs 17 permanent staff members, and this number grows to about 25 during an election year.

Political Financing Political Financing is responsible to monitor compliance with rules related to financing of political parties and candidates as set out it the Political Process Financing Act. Each registered political party must file semi-annual financial returns disclosing the sources of contributions, other sources of funds and details as to how those funds were used. During a provincial election, political parties and candidates must also file statements of election expenses with the Supervisor of Political Financing. They also maintain the Registry of Political Parties and inform the parties of any changes in legislation or procedures.
Corporate Services Corporate Services is responsible for handling all payments to permanent and temporary election officials and vendors involved in providing services and supplies for the running of Elections NB.
Geography Geography is responsible for the computerized design, development and production of all polling divisions designed according to provincial, local government, rural district and school board boundaries. It warehouses thousands of maps on computer. All written descriptions are done in the geography section.
Information Systems and Security Information Systems & Cybersecurity is responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of technology and all other automated systems at Elections NB. This includes the imaging of hundreds of computers and Poll Pads prior to an election, and the subsequent disposal of the machines generally to the Department of Education for use in the schools. They are also responsible for cybersecurity training and awareness.
New Brunswick Voter Information Systems (NBVIS) Reporting to Informations & Secuity, NBVIS is responsible to update the Registry of Electors, to maintain accurate lists of electors’ names and addresses. The Registry of Electors is used to prepare Voter Information cards and the Lists of Electors used in elections.
Communications & Outreach Communications and Outreach is responsible for the development and monitoring of external communications using a variety of media platforms. They are also responsible for the development and implementation of different outreach activities designated for targeted groups of electors, such as electors with disabilities, students,  and seniors.
Operations Operations is responsible for the preparation, conduct and reporting of all electoral events, including developing forms, procedures and guidelines. It is the main liaison with returning officers and is responsible for their training. The staff must see that materials are printed and prepared for shipping to the electoral districts.
Warehouse Warehouse is responsible to receive, pack, and ship all materials required to run an election, from the equipment used at the Returning Offices to the materials each election official uses in their job.