Municipal Elections

Later this year, municipal elections for mayor and councillors will be held. This page will explain how you can participate.

It is important to become involved in your community's affairs and exercise your democratic right to choose the leaders of your community. Become involved in your future.

WHEN ARE ELECTIONS?

Elections in Saskatchewan are held every three years to elect new urban municipal Councils. A council is made up of an elected mayor and a certain number of councillors. Willow Bunch has 6 councillors. At least 180 days before the day of an annual election, Council may increase its size, or reduce it to no fewer than mayor and two councillors.

NOMINATION DAY:

Nomination Day for cities, towns and villages in Saskatchewan is September 30, 2009. At least 10 days before Nomination Day, the Returning Officer publishes and posts the call for nominations which sets out the date, time, and place for nomination of candidates. Nominations may be filed at any time during regular office hours between the time the call for nominations is posted until the deadline of 4:00 pm on Nomination Day.

WHO CAN RUN?

According to The Local Government Elections Act, a person can be nominated as a candidate for mayor and councillor if he or she is:

• at least 18 years old on Election Day;
• a Canadian citizen;
• a resident of the municipality for at least three months; and
• a resident of Saskatchewan for at least six months.

The candidate's nomination paper must be signed by at least five electors of the municipality or ward in a municipality with a population of less than 20,000.

ELECTION DAY:

Election Day is Wednesday, October 28, 2009.

WHO CAN VOTE?

To be eligible to vote, you must be:

• at least 18 years old on Election Day;
• a Canadian citizen;
• a resident of Saskatchewan for at least 6 months;
• and either
  • a resident of, or
  • the owner of assessable land
    situated within the municipality for at least 3 months.

HOW TO VOTE

Eligible voters can vote at the polling station set up in their municipality. Voters can check the Notice of Poll for the location of their polling place. The polling station is open from 9:00 am until 8:00 pm.

Instructions on how to vote are posted at the polling station.  If you need help, the Deputy Returning Officer who gives you your ballot paper will assist you.

At all polling stations, the names of the candidates for mayor and councillors are listed on the ballots for each office.  Generally, the names will be alphabetical although Council may have earlier provided for random or rotational order.  The candidate's occupation, if any, is printed beneath the candidate's name.

In Willow Bunch, you may vote for only one candidate for mayor, and no more than 6 councillors, by making a distinct "X" in the space following candidate's name.  The ballot is secret.

ADVANCED POLL

One of more advance polls operate during the weeks immediately before Election Day.  You may vote at an Advance Poll if you:

• are disabled;
• are an election official; or
• have reason to believe you will be absent from your residence and poll on Election Day.

Voting at an Advanced Poll is conducted in the same manner as a regular poll.  The locations and hours of all Advance Polls are listed on the Notice of Advance Poll, advertised by your municipality.  This information is also available from the Returning Officer.

Need More Information?

Visit the Saskatchewan Government Elections Website
or contact the Willow Bunch Town Office.