Residents in Saint John East riding flock to polls ahead of byelection

Residents in the riding of Saint John East are casting their ballots once again and it appears the byelection is attracting more voters in the advance polls than the provincial election.

Things were a little slow at the polling station Monday, but Elections NB says advanced polling numbers have surpassed the number of ballots cast in the riding of Saint John East during the provincial election.

“That would be compared to the September 22 election, yes, that’s true. That would have been true as of Saturday. Today the numbers are down,” says returning officer Kathy Dalling.

The seat became vacant after Liberal MLA Gary Keating resigned three weeks after being elected, saying the hours and travel that come with the job would have a negative impact on his health and family.

“Things like this don’t happen often. Normally they’re as a result of retirement or death,” says JP Lewis, a political scientist at the University of New Brunswick. “There’s no way around this. No one expected Mr. Keating would resign.”

Lewis says the unusual turn of events is even more interesting on account of the candidates who are running.

“The big question becomes who do you want to represent you in the sense that we know what kind of representative they’re going to be, because we know what the government is,” says Lewis. “So, do you want someone who might be in cabinet? Do you want someone who will be the sole member of that party and party leader in the legislature, or do you want someone who’s returning with some experience as an MLA?”

New Brunswick NDP Leader Dominic Cardy will represent his party in the byelection, while the Greens have chosen Sharon Murphy as their candidate.

Glen Savoie, who narrowly lost to Keating by nine votes, will represent the Progressive Conservatives. Saint John Deputy Mayor Shelley Rinehart is the Liberal candidate.

Advanced polls are open until 8 p.m. Monday. Residents who have yet to vote can do so at their returning offices throughout the week.

The byelection is Nov. 17.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Ashley Dunbar