August 19, 1997
(Office of the Chief Electoral Office)

Employees permitted three hours to vote in Plebiscite on the Future of Education

The Plebiscite on the Future of Education has been set on Tuesday, September 2, 1997. This plebiscite is held under the authority of the Election Act pursuant to section 171 which further states that the provisions of the Election Act relating to the holding of elections apply with the necessary changes to plebiscites held under the act.

Section 75 of the act is in force for the plebiscite and provides that an employee, who is a qualified elector, shall have three consecutive hours for the purpose of casting their vote while the polls are open on polling day. Where the hours of employment do not allow for three consecutive hours, employers shall allow employees additional time for voting, without loss of pay, that may be necessary to provide the three consecutive hours.

Voting hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Newfoundland Daylight Time (7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in parts of Labrador which are on Atlantic time). As an example of the three consecutive hours provision, if an employee's working hours are from 9 am to 5 pm on polling day then three consecutive hours exist after the employee finishes work for the day and no time off work is required. This provision would normally only apply to employees who work 10 to 12 hour shifts that coincide with the voting hours. For example, an employee who is working from 8 am to 8 pm on polling day would have to be allowed three consecutive hours for voting by the employer.

For further information please contact the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, (709) 729-0712.