August 25, 2021 – Saskatchewan’s Chief Electoral Officer has put forward a recommendation to avoid overlapping provincial – municipal election periods in future years. The recommendation is included in Resolving the Municipal/Provincial Election Timing Problem in Saskatchewan, a CEO Discussion Paper and would see municipal elections moved to May 2024 while the provincial election remains in October 2024. A copy of the paper can be found here: www.elections.sk.ca/MunicipalProvincialElectionTiming
“Provincial and municipal election periods in the fall of 2020 overlapped significantly,” says Dr. Michael Boda, Chief Electoral Officer of Saskatchewan. “The end result was significant voter confusion. I am of the view that overlapping election periods are not good for voters or candidates for election. They also introduce risks to administering the election that could undermine people’s confidence in our electoral processes and, ultimately, our democracy.”
Saskatchewan’s next general election is scheduled, by legislation, for October 28, 2024. The next round of municipal elections is scheduled for November 13, 2024. This overlap of provincial and municipal elections would continue every four years thereafter.
“Our next provincial and municipal elections may seem a long way away,” says Dr. Boda. “But I have brought this issue forward to legislators now so that a solution can be considered well in advance. Having certainty in election timing is important for our elected officials, and also for voters and those responsible for organizing elections.”
Elections Saskatchewan (ESK) is the province’s nonpartisan election management body and an independent office of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. ESK directs and supervises the administration of provincial electoral events. Information for voters, workers, media, candidates, and parties at www.elections.sk.ca.
For more information contact:
Tim Kydd
Senior Director, Outreach & Communications
Elections Saskatchewan
306.537.9211
tim.kydd@elections.sk.ca