August 29, 2022 – The Chief Electoral Officer of Saskatchewan, Dr. Michael Boda, today signed the writ of election for a by-election in the provincial constituency of Saskatoon Meewasin.
Elections Saskatchewan today received an order from the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council instructing Dr. Boda to hold the event in Saskatoon Meewasin on September 26, 2022. The seat for Saskatoon Meewasin has been vacant since July 1, 2022.
Information on this by-election can be found at www.elections.sk.ca/saskatoonmeewasin2022.
Voters in this by-election may notice a few differences from past provincial elections, especially if they visit an advance poll. For the first time in a provincial election, workers at advance voting locations will use laptop computers as opposed to paper materials to conduct their work. This will result in faster service for voters, a better working experience for election workers and more timely provision of data to registered political parties and candidates.
“By-elections provide my team the ideal opportunity to learn what works and what doesn’t work as we prepare for the next general election in 2024,” says Dr. Boda. “The smaller scale of a by-election allows this to take place while still ensuring the integrity and security of the event.”
Similar to the last general election and the recent constituency of Athabasca by-election, voters in Saskatoon Meewasin will have the option to mail in their ballot. As well, precautions will be in place to continue making voting safer for voters and election workers.
“Masks are not mandatory for voters this event, but we welcome voters to wear one inside the voting places if they choose too. However, masks will be mandatory for all our election workers inside voting places. Like the other recent electoral events, voters at our voting locations will see hand sanitizer, single-use pencils, physical distancing, and dividers between voters and election workers,” says Dr. Boda.
Key dates this by-election:
September 10 Nomination Day (nominations close at 2 p.m.)
September 15 Deadline to get on the voters list. As of August 29, 2022, there are 12,336 registered voters in Saskatoon Meewasin. Any eligible voter who is not already on this list and misses this deadline can still register in person when they vote in-person.
September 15 Vote by mail application deadline
September 18 Homebound voting application deadline
September 20-24 Advance voting is held, Noon to 8 p.m. each of these five days
September 26 By-election Day. The last day to vote. Polls are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
September 26 Vote by mail ballots must be in the mail no later than 8 p.m. this day.
September 28 Second preliminary count of vote by mail ballots begins and will be reported during the Final Count on October 8.
October 19 Return of the writ. Saskatoon Meewasin returning office closes.
To vote 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 before you receive your ballot. A list of acceptable ID is at www.elections.sk.ca/id.
Election workers are needed. Workers earn up to $230 for working voting day, and even more for working the five days of advance voting. Election workers must wear a mask inside the voting places, 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 877-958-8683.
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