Advance polls in priority Saint John neighbourhoods 'paid off'

Elections New Brunswick officials say specialadvance pollsbeing heldinSaint John's five priority neighbourhoods for the upcoming municipal elections in a bid to boost voter turnouthave proven successful so far.

Only about 25 ballots have been cast in four of the five polls held, as of mid-afternoon Wednesday, said spokesman Paul Harpelle.

But "the measurement of the success is going to be more than just the number of ballots cast," said Harpelle.

We reached voters whootherwise probably wouldn't have voted in this election.- Paul Harpelle, Elections NB

"Listening to thevoting officers who were on the ground and running this forus, they're convinced that this effort paid offbecause we reached voters whootherwise probably wouldn't have voted in this election," he said.

"They found this setup and location more welcoming."

Thespecial additional pollsin the south end, lower west side, old north end, Crescent Valley and Waterloo Village areas are designedto make it more convenient or less intimidatingfor voterswho lack transportation, have mobility problems, ordon't want to face the rush of big crowds on voting day.

The fifth and final oneisslated for Thursday from 9 a.m. untilnoon at theWestsidePACT building onLudlowStreet.

'Pleasant experience'

Special voting officer John Cairns believes the turnout there may be even higher, as word about the "relaxed environment" of thespecial polls spreads.

"Each time that we go to each neighbourhood, it's increasing," he said. "So we're really pleased about that."

Cairns saidone man who showed up on Tuesdaystruggled with literacy.

"He had a hard time reading the ballot. He had voted before, but he was nervous about it and so we helped him through the whole process and he left smiling," he said.

On Wednesday, Cairns spoke to a womanwho wasn't planning to vote. "And I said, 'Well come on down now and vote, if you want to. It's just the two of us (working).'"

"So shecame down and she voted and we got laughing and joking and she left smiling and she said it was a really pleasant experience and that's the kind of person we want to catch."

Two of the polls were held onWednesdayat theNickNicolleCommunity Centre onDurham Street and at the Crescent Valley Resource Centre onMacLarenBoulevard.

Two others were held onTuesday at theSaint John Boys and Girls Club onPaul Harris Street, and at thePULSE Building onWentworthStreet.

The special advance polls are the latest experiment by Elections New Brunswick in the five priority neighbourhoods.

In the 2012 municipal elections, the government agency supplied a bus, which picked up about 40 voters and drove them to the returning office on Rothesay Avenue.

The success of the special polls will be evaluated after the election, officials said.