A key organizer with the NDP's upcoming Saskatchewan election campaign has resigned, CBC News has learned.

Dale Schmeichel, who was co-chair of the NDP's election planning committee, resigned on Aug. 15.

The resignation comes as signs of an election are springing up around the province.

Schmeichel is a longtime NDP insider. Four years ago, when the last general provincial election was held, Schmeichel was the party's provincial secretary, chief executive officer and campaign manager.

He was also a key planner in Saskatchewan during federal election campaigns.

Schmeichel, who is a vice-president with the Crown Investments Corporation, was at his day job Wednesday but didn't return calls from the CBC.

NDP officials haven't commented on the reason for his departure.

NDP Premier Lorne Calvert is expected to call an election this fall, although he hasn't picked a date and hasn't ruled out a spring election.

Some pre-campaign scrapping broke out between the NDP and the Saskatchewan Party earlier this week when an NDP brochure was leaked to the Opposition party.

The brochure portrays the Saskatchewan Party as a wolf in sheep's clothing that's ready to privatize health care and sell off the Crown corporations. Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall called it a pack of lies.