The City of Lloydminster is moving ahead with some changes to make voting in this year’s municipal election easier and safer.
City council passed the third and final reading on the 2020 Election Bylaw which was amended to allow for mail-in ballots for both advanced polls and election day and the possibility of setting up a drive-thru poll if needed.
Nomination packages for the municipal election and both school board elections are now available on the city’s website as well as at City Hall. As part of the bylaw amendments, candidates must disclose all campaign contributions from with a cumulative value of $250 or more from any person, entity or corporation.
The Returning Officer will start accepting nominations on September 22nd and all paperwork needs to be completed before 4 p.m. on October 7th. The deadline to withdraw is October 8th at 4 p.m.
A resident is eligible for nomination in the municipal election if they:
- Are at least 18-years-old on the day of the election
- Are a Canadian citizen
- Has resided in the City of Lloydminster for at least three consecutive months and in Saskatchewan or Alberta for at least six consecutive months before the date on which they submit their nomination papers
- Is not disqualified pursuant to the Saskatchewan Local Government Election Act or any other act
If the resident is eligible, they must hand in their nomination papers with the signatures of at least 25 eligible voters, a completed Candidate’s Acceptance form and a $100 nomination deposit to the City of Lloydminster.
A resident is eligible for nomination in the school board elections if they:
- Are a voter of the school division on the day of the election
- To be eligible to vote in a referendum held in a separate school division, the person shall be of the religious faith that established that separate school division
- Are a Canadian citizen
- Has lived in the school division for at least three consecutive months and in Saskatchewan or Alberta for at least six consecutive months before the date on which they submit their nomination papers
If the resident is eligible, they must hand in their nomination papers with the signatures of at least 10 eligible voters, a completed Candidate’s Acceptance form and a $100 nomination deposit to the City of Lloydminster.
Wages for officials working the election were also set. A new position, the Supervising Deputy Returning Officer will earn $325 a day. The officer will oversee the polling station, ensure compliance with the Local Government Election Act, 2015 (Saskatchewan) and report the results when polls close.
The Issuing Deputy Returning Officer will be paid $250 a day, a $20 increase from the last election in 2016. They will be responsible for issuing ballots and keeping track of ballots through the election day.
The Receiving Deputy Returning Officer will earn $250 a day, a $20 increase from 2016. They will be receiving ballots from electors, track spoiled ballots and ensure the voting machines are working properly.
A Poll Clerk will receive $185 a day, a $15 increase from the previous municipal election. They will verify identification and complete the voter declaration form with the elector.
Election workers will also receive $40 for a two hour training session. Those working in the advanced polls will also be paid at the same rate as those on the election day.
Applications for these positions will be available in August.
The municipal election is scheduled for November 9th with polling stations open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Names listed on the ballots will appear in alphabetical order based on the surname then given name. Dates and locations for advanced polls are to be determined.