It has come to our attention that some members are confused about the process for completing their mail-in ballot. Please see below for a copy of the instructions that were sent out, with additional information added in red. We hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any other issues.
20.5 (1) On receipt of the mail in ballot, the Elector shall mark the ballot with a pen or pencil or any color within the space on the mail in ballot containing the name of the candidate for whom he or she intends to vote.
(2) After marking the mail in ballot, the Elector shall
(a) place the marked ballot in an envelope marked “BALLOT”;
(b) seal the envelope marked “BALLOT”;
(c) place the envelope marked “BALLOT” in an envelope marked “DECLARATION ENVELOPE” and containing the following words on the face of the envelope:
I, _________________________________________, hereby declare that this envelope contains a mail in ballot that I have marked.
____________________________________
Signed
(d) Complete all sections on face of envelope marked “DECLARATION ENVELOPE”. (print your name, sign your name, fill in your band registration number (the ten-digit number, starting with 034, found on your Secure Certificate of Indian Status) and your Ward)
(e) seal the envelope marked “DECLARATION ENVELOPE” and place it in the return envelope; and
(f) seal the envelope and mail or deliver it to the Electoral Officer.
20.6 All mail in ballots must be received by the Electoral Officer no later than 4:00 p.m. on the day preceding the day before the polling day or otherwise will not be counted. This means the Electoral Officer must have your ballot received by 4:00 pm on Sunday, October 21st, 2018.
20.7 Your mail-in ballot package includes the Amendment Vote question “Do you agree with the changes to the Custom Rules Governing Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band Elections?” and you are asked to mark Yes or No. For more information on what this means, please visit our website (www.qalipu.ca). Under the tab marked “Election 2018” you will see “Amendment Vote” which contains a complete copy of the amended custom rules, and a summary and Q & A of what the changes mean.
