Confusion, Allegations and 16,524 Phone Calls: A Look Inside N.L.’s Pandemic Election

Newfoundland and Labrador Chief Electoral Officer Bruce Chaulk is shown outside of his office in St. John's, on February 18, 2021. Paul Daly/The Canadian Press

ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Newfoundland and Labrador’s abrupt shift to a mail−in election in February led to more than 16,000 calls for help, several allegations of election violations and at least one plea for civility.

“While I recognize that this process has taken longer than expected, it would be appreciated if candidates making complaints do so in a civil manner,” chief electoral officer Bruce Chaulk wrote in a March 14 email to all political parties as vote counting was underway.