SUMA reiterating call for change to Municipal Election date

With the release of Saskatchewan Chief Electoral Officer Michael Boda’s final report on the 2020 provincial election, SUMA is once again calling for a change to the municipal election date for Saskatchewan’s cities, towns, and villages.

“Saskatchewan’s Chief Electoral Officer has reiterated that more space should be created between municipal and provincial elections, and we could not agree more,” SUMA President Randy Goulden said. “In 2020, our hometowns experienced voter confusion with the provincial and municipal election dates so close together, and inclement weather also created challenges. As the order of government closest to the people, it is vital for Saskatchewan’s residents to be able to exercise their democratic right and vote in their local election.”

Following the municipal elections in 2020, SUMA surveyed Saskatchewan hometowns, and the municipalities unanimously requested a change in future election dates. Based on feedback from Saskatchewan’s cities, towns, and villages, SUMA has been advocating for a May election date for cities and a September 2024 election date for towns and villages. SUMA sent multiple letters to the provincial government and spoke about the changes during meetings with provincial ministers. In August, SUMA received correspondence indicating the Government of Saskatchewan would not be moving the municipal election date.

“SUMA strongly believes municipalities should have the freedom to determine a municipal election date that works best for them,” President Goulden said. “We urge the province to listen to their Chief Electoral Officer, along with the voices of Saskatchewan’s hometowns, and move the municipal election date.”

SUMA is in favour of several other of Boda’s recommendations, including any necessary legislative amendments to make voter lists freely available from Elections Saskatchewan to individual municipalities, and new possibilities for electronic voting.