Holt is on the ballot in one of three byelections being held in the province.

The race in Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-St. Isidore represents her first opportunity to get a seat in the legislature, and the spotlight that comes with it, since she won the leadership of the party last August.

Holt says she's promising voters "a leadership that listens, that's close to communities and that tries to understand people and work on their priorities." 

Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-St. Isidore, a traditionally Liberal riding, has a strong Green candidate in Serge Brideau, a well-known musician and activist, (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-St. Isidore is a traditionally Liberal riding, but Holt is facing a formidable opponent in Green candidate Serge Brideau, a well-known musician and activist with the Acadian Society of New Brunswick. 

"I think people need a real change, not just a surface change or catch phrases," Brideau said last week as he knocked on doors on Mount Carmel Street in East Bathurst.

The governing Progressive Conservatives opted not to run a candidate in the byelection.

Campaign signs for Susan Holt, Serge Brideau and Alex White in the Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-St. Isidore byelection. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Premier Blaine Higgs said last month Holt deserved a chance to get into the legislature, where she would become leader of the official opposition.

"It's important to have her views shared directly and an opportunity to debate that back and forth, as opposed to being on the sidelines," he said. 

The PCs are running candidates in the two other byelections Monday, in Restigouche-Chaleur and Dieppe.

Alex White, the interim leader of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party, is on the ballot. The NDP has not elected an MLA since 2003. (Gilles Landry/Radio-Canada)

Another party leader is on the ballot in Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-St. Isidore: Alex White, the interim leader of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party.

White says he opted for the riding, rather than either of the other two, because Holt's candidacy means he can have a greater impact.

"With no Conservative candidate, it gives us a chance to show the Liberals are not a progressive party … and to show the NDP is still here, still strong and still fighting for everyone." 

The NDP has not elected an MLA since 2003 and won less than two per cent of the popular vote in the last election.

All three ridings became vacant last fall when their long-time Liberal MLAs retired from politics.

The polls open at 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.