Elections for rural municipalities are held every four years. Wednesday, October 28, 2020 is the provincially set date to elect reeves and Councillors in odd-numbered divisions in rural municipalities.
Rural municipalities hold an election for selected divisions every two years (odd-numbered divisions in one election period and then for even-numbered divisions in the following election period). Each council member holds office for a four-year term.
Voting
Locations are announced on the RM website, social media sites, in local post offices and with signage at poll locations.
Who Can Vote?
To be eligible to vote, you must be at least 18 years old, be a Canadian citizen and qualify as one of the following:
- a resident in the rural municipality for at least three consecutive months immediately preceding the day of the election
- the registered owner (or purchaser under a bona fide agreement for sale) of land in the rural municipality
- assessed with respect to land in the rural municipality under a lease, license, permit, or contract in agreement with the registered owner
- assessed with respect to an improvement in the rural municipality
- hold a permit in the rural municipality with respect to a trailer or mobile home
- a spouse of a person mentioned in (b), (c), (d), or (e) above; or
- the chief executive officer of a duly incorporated co-operative, corporation or religious association that is assessed on the last revised assessment roll with respect to property in the rural municipality that is not exempt from taxation.
Councillors are elected by voters qualifying to vote in the division they are seeking election to represent. The bottom right corner of your RM property tax notice contains the information about the division you live in.
Valid Identification
To vote you must provide valid identification with your photo, name and address. Bringing government issued photo ID is your best option. Other options include:
A valid Saskatchewan Driver’s Licence;
A valid Saskatchewan ID card issued by SGI or any motor licence issuer
Any other valid government issued photo ID issued by a Canadian government whether federal, provincial or municipal, or an agency of that government, so long as it includes your name and address.
A Canadian passport is not an acceptable form of photo identification because it does not contain your address. However, a Canadian passport can be used as identification if paired with another document that has your name and address on it.
Non-Photo ID Options
If you don’t have photo identification and are unable to obtain photo-ID before election day, you can present two other pieces of information, as long as both contain your name and at least one contains your address. Options:
Valid ID cards or certificates issued by the Canadian or Saskatchewan government, a Saskatchewan municipality or school division, a Saskatchewan Indian band, the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan or an agency of one of these entities.
Personal correspondence, benefit/contribution statements and tax/assessment notices issued by any of the above entities.
Bank/credit union cards, credit cards and statements.
Utility bills and statements issued within six months of the date of the election.
Personalized attestation of residence, letter of stay or admission form issued by a seniors or student residence, long term care or shelter facility. .
Running as a Candidate/Candidate Eligibility
You are eligible to run for council and for nomination if you are:
- at least 18 years old on election day
- a Canadian citizen
- a Saskatchewan resident for the past six months;
- not disqualified from being nominated by The Local Government Elections Act, 2015 (LGEA) or any other Act; and
- are eligible to vote in the rural municipality
Candidates require two voters to sign their nomination paper. If a candidate is running as a Councillor, the nominators must be eligible to vote in the division the candidate wishes to represent. The candidate’s nomination paper must be duly completed, signed, and accompanied by the candidate’s signed acceptance.
Election Signage
Temporary election signage can be placed in public right of ways. There are specific RM Bylaws that dictate where signs can be placed.
Zoning Bylaw 6-2013 – Section 4.33 Signage:
- Temporary signs must be self-supporting and must not be attached to any municipal property such as fences, benches, bus shelters, trees, street light poles or traffic signal poles;
- Signs shall not be located in such a manner as to impede the view of any pedestrian or vehicular right of way, or railway crossing;
- Where a sign will be located adjacent to a provincial highway, The Highways and Transportation Act will govern placement requirements;
- Election signage is permitted as temporary signage and is permitted only if it is erected no more than 30 days prior to the date of the election, by-election, referendum or plebiscite and removed 24 hours following the close of voting stations;
- Signage not requiring a permit shall not exceed 1 m2 (10.76 ft2);
- Signs which impede or interfere with the repair or maintenance work of Municipal employees on any property owned or controlled by the Municipality may be removed by the Municipality without notice.
- Ensure you are in compliance with the election signage regulations from the Zoning Bylaw 6-2013.
