Municipal Elections in Resort Villages

It doesn't matter how you vote, the important thing is that you vote

Revised November 2010

Elections in Resort Villages
 
The next municipal elections for mayor and councillors in Resort Villages will take place on Saturday, July 28, 2012.  
 It is important to become involved in your community's affairs and exercise your democratic right to choose the leaders of your community.  This brochure briefly explains the nomination and election process in resort villages.

Resort Village councils are elected for 4-year terms commencing with the first meeting following the election.  Council consists of an elected mayor and a minimum of two councillors. Municipalities may increase or decrease the size of its council by passing a bylaw to do so, at least 180 days before the general election. 

Nomination Day

Nomination Day for Resort Villages is Saturday June 23, 2012.  At least 10 days before Nomination Day, the Returning Officer will publish and post the Call for Nominations stating the vacancies to be filled by the election.  Nominations can be filed at the Resort Village Administration Office anytime during regular office hours from the time the call for nominations is posted and between 11:00 and 2:00 p.m. on Nomination Day.

Who Can Run?

Candidates for Resort Village Council must be:

• at least 18 years old on Election Day;
• a Canadian citizen; and
• one of the following:

a) a resident of the resort village for at least 3 consecutive months immediately preceding the date nomination papers are filed and a resident of Saskatchewan for at least 6 months immediately preceding the date nomination  papers are filed; or
b) an owner or lessee of  assessable land in the resort village for at least 3 consecutive months immediately preceding the date the nomination paper is submitted and have resided in Saskatchewan for at least 6 consecutive months immediately preceding the date on which nomination papers are submitted; or
c) the spouse of a person mentioned in (a) or (b) above.

At least five voters of the municipality must sign a candidate's nomination paper.  If the municipality has passed a bylaw requiring candidates to submit a criminal record check, it must accompany the nomination paper.  Nomination papers must be complete and include the candidate's signed acceptance.

Who Can Vote?

Eligible voters must be:

• at least 18 years old;
• a Canadian citizen;
• and qualify as one of the following:

a) a resident of the resort village for at least 3 consecutive months immediately preceding election day and a resident of Saskatchewan for at least 6 months immediately preceding election day; or
b) an owner of assessable land in the resort village for at least 3 consecutive months immediately preceding election day and a resident of Saskatchewan for at least 6 months immediately preceding election day; or
c) a lessee of land in the resort village for at least 3 consecutive months immediately preceding election day and a resident of Saskatchewan for at least 6 months immediately preceding election day; or
d) the spouse of a person mentioned in (a) (b) or (c) above.

How to Vote

Eligible voters can vote at the polling station set up for their municipality.  Voters can check the Notice of Poll for the location of their polling place.  Resort Villages have to option to establish a polling place resort village.  The polling station is open from 9:00 am until 8:00 pm.

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

Resort villages may make special provisions to accommodate voters with limited mobility by providing mobile polls and curbside voting.  Information on these methods of voting is available from the Returning Officer.

At the polling station, 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.

You may vote for only one candidate for mayor, and no more than the stated number of councillors, by making a distinct "X" in the space beside the candidate's name.  The ballot is secret.

Advance Poll
One or more advance polls may operate during the weeks immediately before Election Day.  Resort Villages may hold advance polls within or outside the municipality.  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.

Advance Poll voting 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 in your municipality.  This information is also available from the Returning Officer.

For further information, contact:
Ministry of Municipal Affairs
Advisory Services Unit   
    
Telephone: 306-787-2680
E-mail: muninfo@gov.sk.ca