Vote-by-mail option expected to be popular for Saskatchewan election

By Medicine Hat News on August 21, 2020.

The process to vote by mail in Saskatchewan’s provincial election this fall has opened, that province’s electoral officer announced Monday.

Saskatchewan residents will vote Nov. 5 – a date set two years ago – but with the coronavirus pandemic response, officials are expecting a surge of interest in the absentee ballots.

“We want to make sure the public knows about this additional option for voting, particularly to people who feel there is a health risk,” said Michael Boda, the province’s chief electoral officer.

“Mail-in ballots aren’t new to provincial elections but have traditionally been used by students studying outside the province and snowbirds travelling to warmer locations.”

About one per cent of the ballots cast in the 2016 election were mailed in.

Eligible voters can request an absentee ballot now until Oct. 15, but officials are requesting applications be made as soon as possible.

Ballots are due by noon on Nov. 5.

The elections office has also said it will follow recommendations of health officials during general voting, including a system of paperless voter identification, single-use pencils and sanitation protocols.

Measures for voting in care homes are still being developed.

Saskatchewan voters in urban and odd-numbered rural municipalities will also elect local officials on Nov. 9.