30th Electoral Cycle Communique for Chief Official Agents, Issue Thirty-Nine

Voting Location Changes, Count Teams & More Second Prelim Count Info

Changes in Voting Location

Over the past day or so, there have been a few more voting location changes. This isn’t unusual as we occasionally run into venues that have been double booked or find ourselves relocated due to unplanned events such as funerals. In all cases, signage is posted on the previous voting location directing voters to the correct building. Our returning officers will contact candidates directly, but it is helpful if you share this information as well.  

The following changes have taken place today:

  • Constituency of Batoche – voting for Area 5, for the Muskoday First Nation will move from the Community Hall to the Community School (October 28 only)
  • Constituency of Cumberland – voting for Area 9, which had been scheduled to take place at Kitsaki Hall in Air Ronge will move to the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Center in Lac La Ronge (October 28 only)
  • Constituency of Carrot River Valley – early voting and last day Areas 9 & 10, taking place at the Mamawe Community Hall on Red Earth Cree Nation will move to Pioneer Place Senior Hall, 1023 Main Street, Carrot River beginning today and remaining there tomorrow and for the last day of voting

All voting location changes are listed here: https://www.elections.sk.ca/electoralevents/voting-location-changes/.

Count Teams – Monday, October 28

Yesterday, I said that I would provide information on the number and location of count teams that we expect to deploy to assist with counting ballots after voting ends on Monday, October 28. 

Attached is a spreadsheet listing our current estimate of the number of count teams we anticipate deploying and the locations. As I mentioned yesterday, this number may grow over the next couple of days as we analyze voter turnout at each station. If changes are made, I will send you an updated list over the weekend.  

As a reminder, you can send an additional two candidate representatives for each count team that is deployed. These candidate representatives must follow the same rules and instructions that apply during voting and which are laid out in the the E-418 Guide for Candidate Representatives which can be found online here.   

Any candidate representative appointed to observe an account team should not enter the voting location until 7:45 p.m. so as to not disrupt voting that may still be going on. Please ensure they are aware, however, that voting locations will lock their doors at 8 p.m. to begin the counting process so they must arrive and enter the location before that time.

Second Preliminary Count – October 30, 2024

Finally, just a few more details about the Second Preliminary Count, which will be held beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 30. Again, we will be counting all vote by mail ballots that we receive back before end of day on October 26 at this count. The remainder, as well as all hospital and remand votes, will be counted at the Final Count on Saturday, November 9.

As mentioned, there will be a maximum of 16 teams counting ballots at once. All candidate representatives will be assigned centrally by the Chief Official Agent of each registered political party, and you will be able to appoint one representative per counting station. We will provide you with the required forms early next week.

Dr. Michael Boda
Chief Electoral Officer
Province of Saskatchewan