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Changes to The Local Government Elections Act, 2015 – Advanced Polls in Rural Municipalities

Res #: 2-25A
Number: 2
Year: 2025
Midterm: No
Expired: No
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Government Relations

WHEREAS running a municipal election imposes a cost to the municipality.

WHEREAS the Saskatchewan government did not consult with rural municipalities to determine interest or the need for an advance poll in rural elections.

WHEREAS the provincial government continues to impose increasing regulation on rural municipalities with no thought to the added cost of the regulation nor the administrative burden and there is seldom, if ever, a line up due to high voter numbers.

BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the provincial government to remove the requirement for advanced polls when eligible voter numbers are lower than 100 people.

Responses From: Saskatchewan Ministry of Government Relations

April 28, 2025

  • Government believes voters should be given every opportunity to vote in an election, even if they are away from their community or otherwise unable to vote on election day.
  • The requirement that municipalities hold at least one advance poll was implemented to benefit voters and to increase voting opportunities and turnout, rather than to address lineups at polling places on election day.
  • Advance polls are intended to improve voter turnout and increase flexibility for voters, by giving municipal residents an additional opportunity to take part in their local elections.
  • While the number of voters involved may be small, it is just as important to improve convenience and encourage voter turnout in smaller elections as in large ones.
  • As part of the amendments to The Local Government Election Act., 2015 (Act) that included the advance polling requirement, the Ministry of Government Relations (GR) consulted extensively with stakeholders.
  • GR is in the process of reviewing data from the 2024 post-election survey and from municipalities’ 2024 election reports, including the use of advance polls.
  • GR will be considering amendments to the Act prior to the next general municipal elections and looks forward to hearing from stakeholders about potential further improvements to the Act and local elections.

Hon. Eric Schmalz – Minister of Government Relations, Government of Saskatchewan