With the signing of a writ of election by Chief Electoral Officer of Saskatchewan Dr. Michael Boda, a by-election in the provincial constituency of Athabasca is now underway.
An order from the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council arrived today at Elections Saskatchewan, instructing Dr. Boda to hold the event in Athabasca on February 15, 2022. This by-election is necessary following the resignation of the Athabasca MLA last August.
Information on this by-election can be found at www.elections.sk.ca/athabasca.
“As was the case with the 2020 General Election, my priorities for this event are voting safely and working safely for residents in the Athabasca constituency,” says Dr. Boda. “I’d also like to encourage all voters in Athabasca to consider voting by mail. No one knows if or when they will be affected by COVID-19 or even if wintry weather will make it difficult to reach their voting location. Voting by mail is a good option and I hope all voters consider it.”
Voters are encouraged to start the Vote by Mail application process right away to ensure their ballot is received in time at Elections Saskatchewan’s head office. Read more about vote by mail, and apply online, at www.elections.sk.ca/voters/voting-by-mail/
Precautions will be in place to make voting safer for voters and election workers. “The latest wave of the pandemic again creates challenges for holding the event, and we will again take a variety of steps to help keep voters and workers safe,” says Dr. Boda. “At our voting places you will see masks, hand sanitizer, physical distancing and dividers between voters and election workers. Just as during the general election, surfaces in the voting places will be disinfected throughout voting day.”
Key dates this by-election:
January 29 Nomination Day (nominations close at 2 p.m.)
February 4 Deadline to get on the voters list. As of January 18, 2022, there are 9,293 registered voters in Athabasca. Any eligible voter who is not already on this list and misses this deadline can still register in person when they vote in-person.
February 2 Vote by Mail application deadline.
February 9-13 Advance voting is held, Noon to 8 p.m. each of these five days
February 15 By-election Day. The last day to vote. Polls are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
February 15 Vote by mail ballots must be placed in the mail no later than 8 p.m. this day.
February 17 Counting of vote by mail ballots begins and will be reported during the Final Count on February 28.
March 10 Return of the writ. Athabasca returning office closes.
To vote in this by-election, you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old and have lived in Saskatchewan for the last six months. You must show ID at the voting place to vote. A list of acceptable ID is at www.elections.sk.ca/id.
Election workers are needed for this event. Workers can earn up to $230 for working voting day, and even more for working the five days of advance voting. Election workers must be a Saskatchewan resident for the last six months, and at least 16 years of age. You can apply online at www.elections.sk.ca/takepart or by calling 1-833-419-0141.
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 including Saskatchewan’s next general election, scheduled, by legislation, for October 28, 2024. 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