July 13, 2023 – Writs for three provincial by-elections were issued today for the constituencies of Regina Coronation Park, Lumsden-Morse, and Regina Walsh Acres. Voting week will be held from August 3 to 10 with voting on August 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8, with the last day of voting being on August 10.
Under revised legislation, voters may notice the beginning of a transition away from the terms “advance voting” and “election day” to a more inclusive “voting week.” This means that early voting opportunities will no longer be described as “advance voting” but rather simply a voting opportunity, with Thursday, August 10 being the last day on which to vote.
Vote by mail, which proved to be a popular option in the 2020 general election and recent by-elections, will also be offered – eligible voters can apply online at www.elections.sk.ca/votebymail or by calling 1-877-958-8683.
“By-elections allow my team to test alternate procedures, which are valuable experiences as Elections Saskatchewan prepares for the October 2024 general election,” says Dr. Michael Boda, Chief Electoral Officer of Saskatchewan. “Every key stakeholder, from voters, to candidates and registered political parties, to election officials will benefit from an election system that improves access to the ballots for voters, provides important data to political stakeholders, introduces efficiencies, and offers greater integrity to the system itself.”
These by-elections will fill vacancies in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. Mark Docherty, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Regina Coronation Park, resigned February 10, 2023. Lyle Stewart, MLA for Lumsden-Morse, resigned March 10, 2023. Derek Meyers, MLA for Regina Walsh Acres, passed away March 28, 2023.
General information on these by-elections at www.elections.sk.ca/2023byelections.
Key dates for these three by-elections:
| July 25 | Nomination Day (nominations close at 2 p.m.) |
| August 1 | Deadline to get on the voters list. Any eligible voter not already on this list and misses this deadline can still register when they vote in person at a voting location. |
| August 1 | Vote by mail application deadline |
| August 2 | Homebound voting application deadline |
| August 3 to 8 | Voting takes place. Noon to 8 p.m. each day. There is no voting on Monday, August 7. |
| August 10 | Last day to vote. Voting places are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| August 10 | Vote by mail ballots must be in the mail no later than 8 p.m. this day. |
| August 12 | Second preliminary count of vote by mail ballots begins and will be reported during the Final Count on August 22 |
| August 22 | Final Count |
| September 2 | Return of the writ. The three returning offices close. |
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 in all three constituencies. 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 1-877-958-8683.
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