Record Number of Voters Come Out for Municipal Election in St. Andrews

Over 86,000 voters across the province went to the polls on Election Day to vote for municipal councils, district education councils, and regional health authority positions, except in Edmundston and Upper Madawaska where elections have been delayed by lockdown measures until May 25 with advanced polls taking place there on the 15th and 17th. Although the number of voters who came out on election day was lower than in 2016, 20% more New Brunswickers voted in the advanced polls in 2021, and the pandemic also led to many voters casting their ballots by mail.

In Saint Andrews, where 15 people are running for council and two for mayor, record numbers of voters came out to the polls. Early reports show that 943 voters cast their vote in Saint Andrews out of 1440 eligible voters. That's approximately a 66% voter turn out--a number that could be even higher once Returning Office votes and mailed-in ballots are counted.

To give you an idea of just how many people voted in St. Andrews in this election, just 677 voters cast their vote in 2016, that's almost 300 less votes than this election, and this is the first municipal election in over 25 years to get over 900 voters out to the polls, so no matter who wins, it's a big win for democracy. Election results for the province will be made public on May 25th when all votes are counted. In the meantime, ballot boxes and tabulation machines are being held in a secure location in Fredericton.

For the first time in over two months, the entire province in now in the Yellow level of recovery. For the third week in a row, New Brunswick also added a new age group to its vaccine eligibility rollout. New Brunswickers age 40 and up are now able to book their first dose vaccine appointment through a health authority or at a local pharmacy.

With over 60,000 doses of Pfizer and Moderna arriving this week, the province is well on its way to getting the entire eligible population a first dose by Canada Day. Dr. Russell insists all New Brunswickers age 12 and over who want a vaccine will be fully vaccinated by the end of September. Dose 2 clinics have now been held at 75% of long-term care homes in the province, with the rest dose 2 clinics scheduled to take place by the end of the May. 63% of long-term care staff have also received their first dose of vaccine with 36% of those having also received their second doses.

Southwest New Brunswickers will have an added sense of security knowing that our American neighbours in Maine are not only well ahead of us with regards to their vaccination rollout, they lead the way across the United States with the highest vaccination rate out of all 50 states with 44% of Maine residents now fully vaccinated with both doses.

The Saint Andrews Wellness Centre will be hosting grand tours for the public on Friday, May 14th, from 2:30pm to 4pm. Masks are mandatory and contact information will be required at the door for contact tracing purposes.

The Town of Saint Stephen turns 150 this Monday, May 17th. There are many of celebratory activities taking place all weekend from the 15th to the 17th. Visit the Town of St. Stephen's Facebook page and website for more details.