Elections Saskatchewan

Frequently Asked Questions - General Responses

This page contains answers to questions that voters frequently have about the electoral system in Saskatchewan. Please check this page to see if your question is answered here before contacting us. If your question is related to the 2007 General Election please click here to get to the Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ Election.

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Information about the electoral system

What is Elections Saskatchewan?

Elections Saskatchewan is an independent office of the Saskatchewan legislature. It is a non-partisan organization charged with overseeing Saskatchewan provincial elections and by-elections in a fair and equitable manner.

When is the next election?

We do not know. The timing of Saskatchewan provincial elections is determined by the government and the Lieutenant Governor. Elections Saskatchewan has no say in when an election will be called, nor does it have any control over the timing of provincial elections.

Why do other provinces have fixed election dates?

Several other provinces have passed legislation fixing the date for future elections at regular intervals (barring the early fall of the government). Saskatchewan has no such legislation at this time. Under Saskatchewan law no Legislative Assembly can continue for longer than five years from the date fixed for the return of the writs of the previous general election. Elections usually occur approximately every 4 years.

Who do I vote for in a provincial election?

In Saskatchewan provincial elections you do not vote directly for the person you think should be Premier. Instead, the province is divided into 58 constituencies. Each of these constituencies holds its own mini-election. So when you go to the poll, you will see a list of people running to represent your constituency. You vote for whichever person you think deserves to win, based on whatever criteria you like. Whichever one of these people receives the most votes will go to the legislature in Regina to represent your constituency. Whichever party wins the most constituencies will form the government, and the leader of that party will become Premier. Thus, unless you live in the constituency in which the head of the winning party ran as a candidate, you will not vote directly for the head of Saskatchewan's government.

What is a constituency?

A constituency is the area that each Member of the Legislative Assembly represents. There are currently 58 constituencies in Saskatchewan.

What is a polling division?

Constituencies are divided into polling divisions of approximately 300 voters. A Voters' List is prepared and a polling place is established for each division.

How do I find out what constituency I live in?

You may contact Elections Saskatchewan at 1-877-958-VOTE or by emailing us at info@elections.sk.ca. You may also use the search engine on this website, available at http://www.elections.sk.ca/find.php.

Where can I obtain electoral maps?

Provincial and constituency maps can be obtained from Elections Saskatchewan free of charge by calling 1-877-958-VOTE or emailing us at info@elections.sk.ca. Maps are also available through our website at Maps & Directories.

What happens after I vote?

After the polls close on Election Day, poll officials open the ballot boxes and, in the presence of candidate's representatives, count each ballot. The results from each poll are then communicated to the constituency Returning Officer. Because some absentee ballots may not have arrived by Election Day, these election night results are only provisional. Once the ballots have been counted, they are resealed in the ballot boxes to await the final count, which occurs 12 days after the election, when all absentee, hospital, and remand centre ballots have been received.

What happens in the event of a tie?

In the event of a tie, or even a very close election, any candidate or candidate's business manager can ask for a recount. In a recount a judge reviews each ballot to determine if it should be accepted or rejected. If the judge's review cannot determine a winner, a by-election must be called in order to give constituents a representative in the Legislative Assembly.

What happens to the ballots after an election?

The ballots are sealed in envelopes which remain sealed for a period of 1 year, after which they are destroyed.

What was the voter turnout in previous Saskatchewan elections?

General Election	Voter Turnout
2003	70.95%
1999	65.50%
1995	64.59%
1991	83.22%
1986	82.12%
1982	83.90%
1978	79.44%
1975	80.28%
1971	83.22%

How much does an election cost?

The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer has budgeted $10 million for the 26th general election. The 2003 general election cost approximately $6.97 million. The current figure includes partial reimbursement of allowable expenses for candidates and registered political parties if a candidate or registered political party receives at least 15% of the votes cast.

Are liquor stores and hotel vendors open on Election Day?

Yes.

How many political parties are there?

There are 8 political parties registered in Saskatchewan:
Green Party of Saskatchewan
New Democratic Party, Sask. Section
Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Democratic Action Party
Saskatchewan Liberal Association
Saskatchewan Marijuana Party
Saskatchewan Party
Western Independence Party of Saskatchewan (W.I.P.)

Candidates may, with the party's support, run for any of these parties in any constituency in Saskatchewan; candidates may also run as independent candidates.

Enumeration/Revision

What is enumeration?

Enumeration is the process of collecting names of eligible voters for the Voters' List.

Why is there an enumeration?

Enumeration allows Election Saskatchewan to prepare an official list of eligible voters in each polling division. Assigning each voter to a polling division and compiling as complete a list of eligible voters as possible allows voting on Election Day to proceed efficiently.

Who can be enumerated?

Only people eligible to vote in a Saskatchewan provincial election can be enumerated. You can vote in a Saskatchewan provincial election if

You are a Canadian citizen on Election Day;
You will be at least 18 years of age on Election Day; and
On the day the writ is issued
- You have ordinarily resided in Saskatchewan for at least six months immediately preceding that day; and
- You were ordinarily resident in the constituency in which you seek to vote.
You are a British subject who was qualified as a voter on June 23, 1971; and
Meet the residency requirements stated above.

When does enumeration take place?

Enumeration begins as soon as the election is called. Enumeration continues for 10 days. Following enumeration, enumerators will post the Voters' Lists they have compiled and accept revisions until 4 days before the election. After the close of revision, the revised Voters' List will be prepared and delivered to each poll.

Where are the Voters' Lists posted?

Approximately 16 days before Election Day, the Voters' List for your polling division will be publicly displayed in the head office of each municipality in the constituency or an office of Canada Post if there is no head office for a municipality in the constituency.

What if the enumerator misses me?

If you miss enumeration, your name can be added to the Voters' List by contacting the enumerator for your polling division until 10:00 p.m. four days before Election Day. During this time, the enumerator will receive applications to be added to the Voters' List.

If you do not know how to contact your enumerator, you can contact Elections Saskatchewan for assistance by calling 1-877-958-VOTE or emailing us at info@elections.sk.ca. You can also obtain enumerator contact information from your Returning Officer; Returning Officers can be located through our website at http://www.elections.sk.ca/find.php.

What if I am not on the Voters' List by the close of revision?

If you do not get enumerated, but you are an eligible voter, you will still have an opportunity to vote.

You will need to go to your polling station on Election Day, make a declaration, and present identification documents bearing your name, signature, and place of residence. This identification can be either one piece of I.D. which contains all three of these elements (for example, a driver's licence) or two pieces of I.D. which have the three elements in some combination (for example, a social insurance card and a utility bill). Property tax bills, mortgage documents, a lease, a cheque book bearing your name and address, or a letter from a bank or other major corporation would also be acceptable evidence of your address. After you present your I.D. and make your declaration, you will be given a ballot.

If you do not have your I.D. with you, you will need to be accompanied by another voter whose name appears on the Voters' List and who can confirm your identity and your place of residence.

What access must be given to enumerators?

Enumerators have a right of access to any residential premise for the purpose of carrying out an enumeration between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. CST. (The Election Act, 1996, section 23)

Voting

Who can vote?

You can vote in a Saskatchewan provincial election if

You are a Canadian citizen on Election Day;
You will be at least 18 years of age on Election Day; and
On the day the writ is issued
- You have ordinarily resided in Saskatchewan for at least six months immediately preceding that day; and
- You were ordinarily resident in the constituency in which you seek to vote.

Or if

You are a British subject who was qualified as a voter on June 23, 1971; and
You meet the residency requirements listed above.

Where can I vote?

Most people vote by going to their designated polling place on Election Day. You can find out where your poll is located by talking to your enumerator, contacting your Returning Officer, calling Elections Saskatchewan, or through Elections Saskatchewan's website. You can find contact information for your Returning Officer and search for your poll location through Election Saskatchewan's website at http://www.elections.sk.ca/find.php.

Where do I vote if I cannot make it to the poll on Election Day?

If you cannot make it to the poll on Election Day, but will be in your constituency prior to Election Day, you may be able to vote at an advance poll. Each constituency will hold five advance polling days prior to Election Day. To find out the dates and hours of advance polls in your area, call your Returning Officer, call Elections Saskatchewan, search for your advance poll locations at http://www.elections.sk.ca/find.php, or look for an Elections Saskatchewan's ad in your local paper. You may contact Elections Saskatchewan for assistance by calling 1-877-958-VOTE or emailing us at info@elections.sk.ca.

If you are unable to vote at a regular poll on Election Day or at an advance poll, you may be eligible to cast an absentee ballot. You may request an Absentee Voter Application Form (E-127A) from a Returning Officer, from Elections Saskatchewan (1-877-958-VOTE), or through the Elections Saskatchewan website at http://www.elections.sk.ca .

Complete the application form and submit it along with a copy of your proof of identity and your proof of residence to your Returning Officer or to the Chief Electoral Officer, who will forward it to your Returning Officer. If the Returning Officer accepts your application, you will be provided an Absentee Ballot Kit. Once you have been issued an Absentee Ballot Kit, you will be deemed to have voted and will not be allowed to vote otherwise.

Sending things by mail takes time, so if you wish to vote by absentee ballot you should get your application in the mail as soon as possible. Absentee ballot applications must be received no later than 8 days before Election Day.

Where do I vote if I move after the election is called but before Election Day?

If you move between the call of the election and Election Day, you must return to the polling place of your former residence.

Where do I vote if I'm away at school?

If you are pursuing a course of study away from home but within Saskatchewan, you may vote either in the polling division where you lived before you left for school or in the polling division where your new residence is located. For example, if you grew up in La Ronge, but are attending school in Swift Current, you could vote in La Ronge (Cumberland constituency) or Swift Current. It is up to you to choose where you want to vote, but you can only vote in one place.

If you are attending a school outside of Saskatchewan, but usually reside in Saskatchewan and are intending to return to Saskatchewan in the future, you may be eligible to vote by absentee ballot. You may request an Absentee Voter Application Form (E-127A) from a Returning Officer, from Elections Saskatchewan (1-877-958-VOTE), or through the Elections Saskatchewan website at http://www.elections.sk.ca. Once you have completed the application form and submitted it along with a copy of your proof of identity and your proof of residence to your Returning Officer or to the Chief Electoral Officer, the Returning Officer will consider your application and send you an Absentee Ballot Kit if you qualify as an Absentee Voter.

What if I am on holidays outside of Saskatchewan?

Leaving the province for a vacation does not affect your residency in Saskatchewan. As long as you are intending to return to the province within five years, you are still considered a resident here. So, if you are otherwise a qualified voter, you are eligible to vote. You will, however, need to apply for an absentee ballot if you will be outside of the province for the duration of the election. You can request an absentee ballot from your Returning Officer, from Elections Saskatchewan (1-877-958-VOTE), or through the Elections Saskatchewan website at http://www.elections.sk.ca .

Can I vote if I work outside of Saskatchewan?

You are eligible to vote in Saskatchewan provincial elections as long as you have ordinarily resided in Saskatchewan for at least six months immediately preceding the day the election was called and are otherwise a qualified voter. Temporarily leaving the province to work elsewhere does not affect your residency in Saskatchewan so long as you intend to return to Saskatchewan at some point within the next five years. However, individuals who move to a place outside of Saskatchewan with the intention of remaining outside of Saskatchewan for at least five years lose their residency in Saskatchewan and cannot vote. So, for example, if you have lived in Saskatchewan for many years, but routinely travel to Alberta for six-month work terms, you can still vote in Saskatchewan provincial elections so long as you are otherwise a qualified voter. However, if you take a permanent job in Yellowknife with the intention of moving to the Northwest Territories, you lose your ordinary residence in Saskatchewan and cannot vote.

If you are in the province during the election, you can vote in the constituency of your permanent residence; if you are away at work, you can apply for an absentee ballot from your Returning Officer, from Elections Saskatchewan (1-877-958-VOTE), or through the Elections Saskatchewan website at http://www.elections.sk.ca .

Where do I vote if I live in a personal care home or personal care facility?

On Election Day, you will be able to vote in your personal care home or personal care facility. Elections Saskatchewan will establish polls in every personal care home and personal care facility in the province.

Where do I vote if I am in Hospital on Election Day?

Elections Saskatchewan will set up a polling station in every hospital in Saskatchewan. If you are unable to move about the hospital, election officials will come to your bed so that you can vote. Votes cast in hospitals are counted in the constituency in which the voter ordinarily resides, not in the constituency in which the hospital is located. For example, if you live in Oxbow but are in the General Hospital in Regina, your vote will be counted as though you voted in Oxbow (constituency of Cannington).

If I belong to a First Nation but I live off reserve, do I have to return to my First Nation to vote?

No. In Saskatchewan provincial elections you vote in the constituency in which you ordinarily reside on the day the Election is called.

Can I vote if I am a qualified voter but reside in a correctional institution or penitentiary?

Yes. Unless you have been convicted of a corrupt practice under The Election Act, 1996 or have been incarcerated outside Saskatchewan for more than five years, you do not lose your right to vote. If you are qualified to vote, you must apply to vote by absentee ballot whether or not you are being held in an institution within Saskatchewan. For an Absentee Voter Application Form, please contact Elections Saskatchewan by phone (1-877-968-VOTE) or by email at info@elections.sk.ca. Absentee Voter Application Forms can also be downloaded from our website at http://www.elections.sk.ca .

Can I vote if I am in a Remand Centre?

Yes. Elections Saskatchewan will establish polling stations in Remand Centres across the province.

Is there assistance at the poll for people physically unable to mark their ballot?

Yes. Any voter may ask for assistance from the Deputry Returning Officer in marking his or her ballot. Before assisting the voter, the Deputy Returning Officer will require the voter to take an oath or make a declaration.

Is there assistance at the poll for people with vision impairment?

Yes. Each polling station is equipped with a magnifying glass and a template for visually-impaired voters. The Deputry Returning Officer can also assist voters in marking their ballots, if so requested. In accordance with The Election Act, 1996, blind voters who so choose may take a friend with them behind the voting screen to assist with marking the ballot; however, each friend can only assist one person during the election. Both the blind voter and the friend will be required to take an oath or make a declaration.

Is there assistance at the polls for people with hearing impairment or who do not understand English?

Yes. Voters who are unable to understand the English language for any reason (including hearing impairment) are entitled to be accompanied by a friend who may interpret for the voter and accompany the voter into the voting station in order to assist the voter in marking the ballot paper. A friend who is acting as an interpreter may assist more than one voter during the course of an election. In order to meet the needs of the community, the Deputy Returning Officer may also hire an interpreter to assist voters who do not understand English.

Are polling stations wheelchair accessible?

Wherever possible, polling stations are wheelchair accessible. In the few instances where polls are not wheelchair accessible, curb-side voting will be made available to voters who request it. Voters are also free to vote at advance polls, which Returning Officers have selected for wheelchair accessibility wherever possible. To check on the accessibility of your local poll, contact your Returning Officer. Returning Officer contact information can be found by calling Elections Saskatchewan (1-877-958-VOTE) or through the Elections Saskatchewan website at http://www.elections.sk.ca/find.php.

When do I vote?

Election Day voting will take place at all regular polling places between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. For advance poll hours, please contact Elections Saskatchewan by calling 1-877-958-VOTE, emailing us at info@elections.sk.ca, or through our website at http://www.elections.sk.ca/find.php. You can also obtain advance poll information from your Returning Officer; Returning Officers can be located through our website at http://www.elections.sk.ca/find.php.

How do I know if I am a Canadian citizen?

Call Citizenship and Immigration Canada at 1-888-242-2100.

If I have dual citizenship with Canada and another country, may I vote and retain my dual citizenship?

You should contact the High Commission, Embassy, or Consulate of the other country in question to determine the rules governing citizenship in that country.

Can I decline my ballot at the poll?

Yes, once you have received your ballot at the poll, if you wish to decline the ballot, you may give the ballot back to the Deputy Returning Officer and state that you decline the ballot. The Deputy Returning Officer will write the word "Declined" on the ballot and place it in a separate envelope.

How much time do I have for voting on Election Day?

Every voter is entitled to three consecutive hours during which the polls are open in order to vote. Employers whose employees have three consecutive hours of their own time during polling hours need not allow additional time for voting. If, however, an employee is scheduled such that he or she does not have three consecutive hours off from work during polling hours, the employer must grant the employee time off. However, this time off must be requested by the employee and must be at a time convenient to the employer. Once requested by the employee, the employer must grant this time off with no penalty to the employee.

Eligibility and Nomination

What are the eligibility requirements for candidates?

To be eligible as a candidate you must be

A Canadian citizen and at least 18 years of age as of Election Day;
Ordinarily resident in Saskatchewan for at least 6 months preceding the day the writ was issued; and
Not disqualified by The Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act or by any other Act from being a candidate.

Who is not qualified to be a candidate?

The following people are not qualified to be candidates:

Federal and provincial court judges;
People who are ineligible to vote pursuant to The Election Act, 1996 or any previous Election Act because of a conviction for engaging in corrupt practices;
People who on polling day are in a correctional facility, jail, or prison or are subject to a disposition of a review board; and
The Chief Electoral Officer, Assistant Chief Electoral Officer and every election officer.

What must a candidate do to become a candidate?

Candidates must submit a nomination paper to the Returning Officer. It must be properly completed with the signatures of at least 4 eligible voters from the constituency in which the candidate wishes to run; each signature must be witnessed by another voter resident in the constituency. Nominations papers are available from your Returning Officer or through Election Saskatchewan's website at Link to form when available. A deposit of $100 Canadian in the form of money order or certified cheque payable to the Minister of Finance is also required. Note: Deposits cannot be made in cash.

When is the deadline for becoming a candidate?

Nominations close at 2:00 p.m. on the 16th day before Election Day.

Campaigning and Advertising

What Access must be given to candidates?

As per The Residential Tenancies Act and The Condominium Property Act, access is to be granted to residential premises to candidates and their representatives for purposes of canvassing and distribution of election materials. (Note: This does not apply to shopping malls or other non-residential property.)

What is a candidate's representative and what does he or she do?

A candidate may appoint either voters or Saskatchewan residents who are Canadian citizens and who are at least 14 years of age to act as candidate's representatives. With the exception of mobile polls, up to 2 candidate's representatives may be present at each polling place to observe election officials and ensure the fairness of the election. A candidate's representative also has the right to enter apartment and condominium buildings to canvass on behalf of the candidate.

Are signs allowed on public property such as roadways or boulevards?

Elections Saskatchewan is not responsible for regulating the placement of election signs. Contact the provincial Department of Highways and Transportation, the City of Moose Jaw, the City of Prince Albert, the City of Regina, or the City of Saskatoon for the appropriate section of the Highways and Transportation Act or city by-law. Other cities, towns, and rural municipalities may also have sign by-laws. Click here for Department of Highways guidelines (1)(2)(3)

Is it legal to take down candidate signs?

No. The Elections Act, 1996 specifically prohibits the removal, destruction or mutilation of election signs. The penalty for taking down candidate signs is a fine up to $5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.

Can campaigning take place on Election Day?

Yes. However, no person shall on Election Day post or display within any polling place or within 50 feet of a polling place, any campaign literature, emblem, ensign, badge, label, ribbon, flag, banner, card, bill, poster, or device that could be taken as an indication of support for a candidate or political party or group.

Also prohibited on Election Day, prior to the closure of the polls, is the use of a public address system or other loudspeaker device and the organization of or participation in parades or demonstrations for purpose of promoting or securing the election of a candidate.

Do advertisements having to do with a candidate or registered political party require authorization?

Yes. Every advertisement having reference to any election or promoting the candidacy of a particular person must, prior to its distribution, display in it or on its face that it is authorized by the business manager of the candidate or the chief official agent of a registered political party.

Can opinion polls be published or broadcast during a provincial election?

Yes. Opinion polls may be conducted and the results made available to the public at any time during the election. For more information, phone the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) at 1-877-249-2782.

Is there a blackout period for political advertising?

No. Changes to the Broadcast Act, 1991 have eliminated the blackout period for political advertising. For more information, phone the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) at 1-877-249-2782.

Employment

Are there employment opportunities with Elections Saskatchewan?: Yes. During elections we need to hire people for a number of positions in each constituency. If you are interested in working with Elections Saskatchewan please see the employment opportunity section of our website. Application Form

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