June 20, 2024 | Advertise with us

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Voting week coming to Saskatchewan, among other changes ahead of election

The Cheif Electoral Officer of Elections Saskatchewan, Michael Boda, discussed changes voters can expect in this fall’s election. Boda wrote an editorial in the Saskatoon StarPhoenix to discuss these changes.

Boda discussed what modernizing our elections means, saying, “Modernization means a more efficient, effective and inclusive electoral process for the benefit of voters, stakeholders and all those living in Saskatchewan. It means a system that is more sustainable, transparent and accountable. It means a system that uses technology to improve the voting experience, while ensuring election integrity and improving voters’ access to the ballot.

In the 2020 election, the world was in the midst of battling the pandemic and over 56,000 individuals applied to vote by mail. This process will continue and voters can apply to vote by mail now.

Another big change coming to Saskatchewan: voting week. Instead of a specific election day, Saskatchewan will see six full days of voting, beginning October 22 and ending October 28. Boda says election week is critical, “By so doing, we broaden voters’ access to the secret ballot, introducing multiple days, multiple places and multiple methods of voting that offer greater convenience for eligible voters in choosing their leaders.

Elections Saskatchewan will also ensure a 30-minute rule, meaning if you live in a rural area, you will be no farther than a 30-minute drive to a polling location.

At each polling location, there will be an electronic poll book that includes a list of all the registered voters for the constituency. Barcode scanners will quickly identify registered voters, speeding up lines and reducing human errors. This will also provide political parties with their get-out-the-vote efforts.

These methods were tested in the 2023 by-elections with overwhelmingly positive results. Elections Saskatchewan has also worked with First Nations communities.

Boda noted that Saskatchewan people are resilient, having conducted successful elections during two world wars, the great depression, and a global pandemic, saying, “Time and again, the people of Saskatchewan have exhibited an unusually strong commitment to governing themselves democratically.”

You can read Boda’s op-ed in its entirety here.

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NDP nominate candidate in Athabasca

Saskatchewan New Democrats have nominated their 42nd candidate ahead of the fall election and are looking to win back a stronghold.

New Democrats in the northwestern constituency held a contested nomination and elected Leroy Laliberte as the NDP candidate for Athabasca. Laliberte beat one other candidate.

Laliberte ran in Athabasca as a candidate for the Green Party in 2020. Laliberte is a Métis Michif originally from the Northern Village of Beauval. He also works as the Community Wellness Manager for Flying Dust First Nation.

Longtime former NDP MLA Buckley Belanger held the riding from 1995-2022. In a 2022 by-election, the Sask. Party’s Jim Lemaigre became the first non-NDP or Liberal candidate to win in the riding’s history. Lemaigre won with only 51 more votes than the losing Sask. Party candidate received in 2020. The NDP have their sights set on Athabasca and want to regain their traditional stronghold ridings.

The next nomination will be the NDP in Saskatoon Southeast on June 25.

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Each week leading up to the 2024 election, The SKoop Political Briefing will highlight a constituency that has nominated a candidate from at least both major parties. Today, we look at Saskatoon Meewasin. There is only a slight change to the riding in 2024. Located along the Saskatchewan River, this riding includes neighbourhoods like River Heights, City Park, and North Park.

The incumbent: Nathaniel Teed was first elected for the NDP in a 2022 by-election, winning by the largest margin in the riding’s history with 58% of the vote. Prior to his election, Teed worked at Remai Modern and is a small business owner.

The challenger: Maureen Alice Torr was born and raised in Uganda and worked for years as an International Student Coordinator at Canadian Universities. Torr is also the founder and director of Joy’s Centre, a Saskatoon-based organization devoted to international outreach projects.

The takeaway: Meewasin is likely a safe NDP seat. Teed won the riding handily in the by-election, and was previously the riding of former NDP leader Ryan Mieli. However, former Sask. Party MLA Roger Parent was elected to consecutive terms in Meewasin in 2011 and 2016 before his death in 2016.

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More news and info

• Support for Trudeau reaches ‘rock bottom’ as 68% want him to step down: Ipsos (Global News)

• Solar power farm will reduce costs at Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant (CTV Regina)

• Former Manitoba Premier Stefanson's seat flips NDP orange for first time in Manitoba by-election (CTV Winnipeg)

• Muted mics, no props: CNN details rules for Biden-Trump debate on June 27 (The Guardian)

2024 Election Candidate Tracker