REGINA, March 29, 2016 – Voting in advance of election day is now open.

A complete list of all advance polls in 173 locations around Saskatchewan can be found at www.elections.sk.ca/media/key-election-dates. Advance voting runs for five days:

  • March 29 to April 1, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • April 2, Noon to 7 p.m.

Advance voting turnout numbers will be posted daily on the Elections Saskatchewan website at www.elections.sk.ca/election-results.

“Advance voting is a great option that is open to all eligible voters,” says Dr. Michael Boda, Chief Electoral Officer of Saskatchewan. “All registered voters should have received their individual Voter Information Card, or VIC as we call it, by now. Your VIC lists all the locations, dates and times in your constituency where you can vote in advance of election day.

“While you don’t need to show your VIC at the voting place, bringing it with you makes your voting experience easier and faster.”

One of the legislative changes in Saskatchewan’s election law in 2013 included streamlining advance voting. Any voter who ordinarily resides in the constituency may vote at an advance poll this election for simple convenience. This change, along with the 74 per cent increase in advance voting turnout in the October 2015 federal election compared to the 2011 federal election, are indicators that we may see a higher advance voting turnout.

“We are planning for an increased turnout in advance voting,” says Dr. Boda. “We are likely to experience a rush of voters during the first hour of the day that advance polls are open. While we are staffing accordingly to prepare, we encourage voters who have the flexibility in their day to consider coming to an advance poll later in the day,” says Dr. Boda.

Previous ballots cast in advance voting in a Saskatchewan general election are:

  • 2011: 66,602
  • 2007: 49,572
  • 2003: 26,174

To vote, you must show ID that is proof of your identity (name) and address. There are more than 50 acceptable pieces of ID you can find at: www.elections.sk.ca/bringid or by calling 1-877-958-8683.

To vote in the April 4 provincial election you must:

  • Be a Canadian citizen;
  • Be at least 18 years old;
  • Have lived in Saskatchewan for at least the six months before the day the election is called.

Elections Saskatchewan is the province’s independent, impartial, professional election management body. Given a mandate from the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly, it organizes, manages and oversees provincial electoral events, including the April 4, 2016 general election. Information for voters, workers, media, candidates and parties at www.elections.sk.ca.

      

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For more information contact:

 

Tim Kydd
Senior Director, Outreach & Policy
Elections Saskatchewan
306.537.9211
Tim.kydd@elections.sk.ca