North Battleford announces election date, launches election website

North Battleford voters will go to the polls for the 2020 municipal election on November 9th.

In an effort to get voters prepared for how the election will work, especially in the time of COVID-19, the city has put an information package out online. In it, they say that there will be added physical distance and sanitary measures, which will work within guidelines from the Saskatchewan Health Authority, as well as provincial and municipal legislation.

There will also be four ways to vote this year. Voters will be able to cast their ballot in person on November 9th, or they can make use of advanced polls on October 3rd, November 2nd and November 5th. Regular voting on election day will be held at the North Battleford Civic Centre, while advance polls will be held at the Don Ross Centre.

Mail-in ballots will also be an option this year, but because the city doesn’t keep a database of registered voters, residents will need to apply with a Voter Registration Form, which can be sent in by email, fax or in-person at City Hall. Ballots and instructions will be sent out by mid-October and must be back to the Election Office before 8 PM on Election Day to be counted.

Mobile polls will send an elections officer to the voter’s house if they are unable to go to the polling place. People will need to apply for this service before October 26th. The expected date for mobile polling is November 3rd, extending into the 4th if needed. Special polls have been arranged for local care facilities and hospitals and will take place prior to election day.

Also on this website is information for new candidates for Council, Mayor and School Board Trustees.  Nomination forms can be submitted, at no cost, between September 22nd and October 7th. Applications must be signed by at least five voters in the community, and have two witnesses. No one can be nominated for both mayor and council at the same time, and candidates cannot nominate themselves. A new mayor or council member is expected to serve four years, starting at the first council meeting after the general election.

It is anticipated that the results of the election will be announced by 1 PM on November 12th.