FOG BLOG NEW BRUNSWICK NEWS LOG: DOZENS OF NEWLY MERGED COMMUNITIES VOTE TODAY!

Dozens of new or newly merged communities voting today in N.B. elections More than 15,000 people have already cast their votes Polls are open for municipal elections, with residents of dozens of newly-formed municipalities voting for the first time.

There are 50 municipalities and 12 rural rural districts holding elections for the first time after they were created by the province's local governance reform program.

Kim Poffenroth, the province's chief electoral officer, said so far things at the polls are going smoothly.

• Excitement, apathy as some N.B. residents to vote for first time in municipal elections

• Advance voting sees municipal turnout at 12.5 per cent prior to election day

"Weather seems to be co-operating throughout most of the province, which is good when you have an election being held in late November," said Poffenroth.

"Mother Nature is always a factor, but she seems to be co-operating today."

Poffenroth said all polling locations opened on time and with no issues or major lineups.

She said it's important to get out and vote because of how many decisions are made at the municipal level.

"The decisions made by local government councils are extremely important, they affect the day-to-day lives of everyone in their community," said Poffenroth.