Saskatchewan election: How to vote today
All voting places across the province are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
People across Saskatchewan are heading to the polls today. When you go to your local polling station, you need to know when and where to show up, but you might also need to know what ID to bring.
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Are you registered?
If you are a registered voter, your voter information card should've arrived by mail already. It tells you where to vote and what ID to bring.
If you are not registered, you can still vote by registering in person when you go vote. Anyone who registers at the time of voting must provide identification documents and complete a form in the presence of election officers.
What ID do I need to vote?
You need ID to prove your identity and address in order to vote. There are three options:
- You can use a driver's licence or other government-issued ID that has your name, photo and address.
- You can show two pieces of ID. Both must have your name and one must have your address. There are more than 50 acceptable documents you can find here. You can use an electronic copy of documents such as a utility bill if you receive them online.
- At the voting stations, you can sign a declaration, and a registered voter from your constituency, such as a neighbour or roommate, may vouch for you. Each person can only vouch once.
Where do I vote?
The voter information card will say where to vote and what ID to bring. The Elections Saskatchewan website shows you where you vote. You can also call them at 1-877-958-8683.
Under The Election Act you must vote at the polling station in the voting place assigned to you.
How can I vote?
All voting places across the province are open from 9 a.m. CST to 8 p.m.
- Your voting place is on your voter information card but you can also visit the Elections Saskatchewan website.
- If you are a hospital patient you can vote in the hospital you are in, even if it's not in your home constituency.
- The vote by mail application process and vote in your home application processes have now closed.
Do I get time off of work to vote?
Every person is entitled to three hours to vote.
What happens at the polls?
If you are already registered you will show ID and an election worker will cross your name off of their list. If you are not registered, you will have to register and an election official will take your information and add you to the voter list.
You then get a ballot and will go behind a voting screen where you will mark the candidate of your choice with an X (check marks and other marks are also accepted) and fold your ballot. The election worker will show you what ballot box to put it in.
You have voted.
What happens after polls close?
After the polls close, election officials open the ballot boxes and count each ballot.
Candidates are allowed to have a representative there to watch the count.
The results are passed on to the constituency returning officer and the ballots are resealed in the ballot boxes to await the final count, which actually happens 12 days after the election. The final count happens later because some absentee ballots — including mailed-in, hospital, and remand centre ballots — won't arrive until later.
What if there is a tie?
If there is a tie or a very close election, any candidate can ask for a recount. In some cases recounts are mandatory.
How does the voting system work?
In Saskatchewan, the first past the post system is used. That means each voter is allowed to cast one vote for one of the candidates in their constituency. The candidate with the most votes wins. The political party with the most candidates elected throughout the province becomes the government. The leader of that party becomes the Premier.
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