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An Election Primer
So you want to take part in an election? Here are some things you may want to know more about. Voter Participation In most democratic countries, voter participation averages between 50 and 70 per cent. Here in Canada, it varies widely province to province. In Saskatchewan average voter turnout in the past two elections has been about 60 per cent. In Prince Edward Island's last election on Sept. 29, 2003, 83 per cent of eligible voters went to the polls, despite the fact that the province was without electricty after being hit by one of the most powerful hurricanes in maritime history on the eve of the election. Three days later, in the Ontario election, just 59 per cent of eligible voters turned out. The last federal election in 2000 was the first time since Confederation that less than 65 per cent of Canadian voters took part in a federal election. In the United States only 49 per cent turned out in 1996. However, U.S. voters cannot cast a ballot unless they are registered before election day. In Canada millions of Canadians register at the polls on election day.
A Saskatchewan election must be a minimum of 28 days and a maximum of 34 days. Within those days, certain factors must be considered. For example, advanced polling and the election must not fall on holidays.
Voter enumeration begins the day an election is called. Ten days after the call, preliminary voters lists are generated and distributed to all candidates. To be enumerated, or put on the voters list, you must be contacted by an Elections Saskatchewan official. For the contact in your constituency, call 1-877-958-8683.
Legislation determines the amount that each candidate and party can spend on an election campaign. The amount changes based on the Consumer Price Index. This year in Saskatchewan each registered party can spend up to $739,877 on its campaign, or $2.96 for each person on the provincial voter list, whichever is greater. Candidates can spend up to $44,393 on individual campaigns, or $2.96 for each person on the voter list, whichever is greater. Candidates seeking election in the two northern ridings of Cumberland and Athabasca can spend up to $59,190, or $5.91 for each voter, whichever is greater, because of the costs associated with the relative size of these constituencies, which span the northern half of the province. Political parties are reimbursed the lesser of $221,964, or one-third of their expenses. Candidates get back 50 per cent of the allowable monies spent on a campaign. Each party can spend up to $2,272 and each candidate can spend up to $737 on an auditor to oversee the accounting of these expenses for the chief electoral officer. Election expenses are legally defined as "the cost of goods
and services used during an election for the purpose of promoting
or opposing, directly or indirectly, a registered political party
or the election of a candidate, regardless of whether those costs
are incurred before, during or after the election. Election expenses
may be incurred in the form of money spent, liabilities incurred
or donations in kind accepted." For this election, the borders of 56 of 58 constituencies have been changed. It is the sole responsibility of the Chief Electoral Officer to provide boundary information to the electorate. Please contact your local returning officer, or Elections Saskatchewan at 1-877-958-8683 to confirm which constituency you are expected to vote in.
Candidate nominations are completed between 11 and 17 days after an election is called. At that time, a complete list is given to all candidates and made available on the Elections Saskatchewan website.
Seven days before election day, advance polls are held for five consecutive days. Advance polling days, may not fall on holidays. For dates and locations of advance polls, call
The results published on election night are unofficial results. Twelve days after election day, a final vote count is completed by the returning officer in each constituency. This count includes any absentee, remand and hospital votes. Sixteen days after the election is the last day to request a recount.
The day after an election is called, the busiest people aside from political party workers and their candidates, are the people who work for the chief electoral officer (CEO). It is their office that is responsible for making sure all eligible voters are on a voters list and that they have been given every opportunity to cast their vote. The CEO registers and files all candidate and party contributions to allow participants to take full advantage of the state-financed political process. Saskatchewan's CEO is Janice Baker. This is the sixth election she has worked on with the office and her second since being named CEO in 1998. Baker's job is to "facilitate provincial electors, registered political parties and candidates in the exercise of their democratic right as entrenched in the charter." There are 58 returning officers who represent the CEO in each constituency. It is the role of the CEO and returning officers to ensure that the election is conducted fairly. Neutrality is the most important aspect of their job.
Fourteen days after the election, all supplies are collected and returning offices are closed. After a return to the writ the government is officially considered elected, even though they often take power within days of an election victory.
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