ELECTIONS INFORMATION

*Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided below is intended for reference purposes only and is not a replacement for the actual legislation, please reference The Local Government Election Act, 2015 and Regulations for official purposes*

Elections for rural municipalities are held every four years. The provincially set date of Wednesday, November 13, 2024, is to elect councillors representing odd-numbered divisions in rural municipalities.  The RM of Francis No. 127 Divisions 1, 3, 5 and the Reeve.

Rural municipalities hold an election for selected divisions every two years (odd-numbered divisions in one election period and then for even-numbered divisions in the following election period). Each council member holds office for a four-year term.

MUNICIPAL ELECTION DAY

(Election Year 2024)

CANDIDATE INFORMATION

Interested candidates may request or stop by the RM office to pick up the ‘Nomination’ forms and the ‘Running for Council’ Information package 

In order to be eligible to run for election for Reeve or in any one of the open divisions, a person must meet all of the following conditions:

  • At least 18 years of age on the date of the election
  • A Canadian Citizen
  • Eligible to vote in the municipality (See Voter Eligibility)
  • A resident of Saskatchewan
  • Not disqualified from being nominated by The Local Government Elections Act, 2015 or any other Act

A person cannot be nominated or elected as:

  • A Councillor for more than one division; or
  • A Councillor of a division and the Reeve of the municipality

A member of Council whose term of office expires with the upcoming election is not required to resign from his or her current position to seek election.

DISQUALIFICATIONS

Persons who are not qualified to be nominated or elected as a member of Council include:

  • A judge of a court; and
  • The auditor or solicitor of the municipality

Before seeking nomination to Council, employees of the municipality, employees of any board or commission appointed by R.M. Council, or employees of a board of education must first obtain a leave of absence in accordance with subsection 80(2) of The Labour Standards Act.  If the employee is successful in being elected to Council, the person is deemed to have resigned from his or her employment on the day before he or she was elected.  Unsuccessful employee candidates are entitled to resume their employment when the leave of absence expires.

Persons having an interest in a contract with the municipality are not disqualified from holding office as a member of Council.


POWERS AND DUTIES

Candidates have the right to:

  • Be in the polling place to observe proceedings while voters are voting.
    • In addition, each candidate may have two agents in attendance at each polling station to observe voting procedures;
    • Candidates and agents may enter and leave the polling place at their pleasure during the hours the poll is open.

Candidates and/or Agents may:

  • Object to the entitlement of any voter intending to vote;
  • Examine a voter’s evidence of identity and residence;
  • Request verification of vouching procedure;
  • Be in the polling place when it closes to observe the ballot count;
  • Object to a decision made by the deputy returning officer to count or reject a ballot;
  • obtain a copy of the Deputy Returning Officer’s Statement of Results;
  • affix their own seal to the ballot box after ballots have been counted;
  • request a recount, if statutory conditions exist; and
  • attend a recount.

Candidates or agents do not have any authority to:

  • directly question a voter; or
  • attempt to influence a voter.

Each candidate may appoint one or more agents in writing, using the prescribed from provided by the municipality after the close of nominations.


VOTER ELIGIBILITY

BE SURE TO BRING YOUR I.D. Voter Identification Poster

Please reference section 36 of The Local Government Election Act, 2015 when determining voter eligibility.

An eligible voter is entitled to vote only once for Reeve and only once for Division Councillor in the division he or she is entitled to vote in, notwithstanding they may meet more than one of the qualifications.

A person is qualified to be registered as a voter in a rural municipality if he or she on the day of the election:

  • is 18 years old;
  • is a Canadian citizen;
  • has not already voted in the election; and
  • immediately preceding the day of the election meets at least one of the following criteria:

Section 36 (1)(e) The Local Government Elections Act, 2015

  • in the case of a rural municipality:
    (i) has resided in the rural municipality, or land now in the rural
    municipality, for at least three consecutive months immediately preceding
    the day of the election;
    (i.1) is the registered owner of property in the rural municipality, or
    property now situated in the municipality
    (ii) is the assessed person with respect to property in the rural
    municipality, or property now situated in the municipality, pursuant to
    section 207 of The Municipalities Act;
    (iii) is the occupant of a trailer or mobile home in the municipality, or land
    now situated in the municipality, that is the object of a permit required
    pursuant to section 306 of The Municipalities Act;
    (iv) is the spouse of a person mentioned in sub-clause (ii) or (iii); or
    (v) is the chief executive officer of a duly incorporated co-operative,
    corporation or religious association that is assessed on the last revised
    assessment roll with respect to property in the rural municipality that
    is not exempt from taxation

ELECTORAL DIVISIONS

How to determine your electoral division

On the tax notices mailed out in August, it identifies which division a property owner is entitled to vote.

It is important that you reference section 39 of The Local Government Election Act, 2015 for clarification to determine the Division you are eligible to vote as you may have assessed land in more than one Division. If a person is eligible to vote with respect to more than one division, that person is eligible to vote in one division only as set out in section 39.

Division you are Eligible To Vote   (Click and Print) 

 SECTION 39   of The Local Government Election Act, 2015

The Local Government Election Act, 2015 (click here)

VOTER IDENTIFICATION

Acceptable Voter Identification (Click and Print)

All voters must provide identification to be eligible to vote. The purpose of the voter identification is to provide proof of identity and to establish residency. Government-issued photo identification is your best option but there are other alternatives available to you.

Option I:

One original piece of identification that includes your photo, name and address.
The identification must be issued by a federal, provincial, or municipal government, such as a Saskatchewan Driver’s License.

If your identification does not meet these criteria it will not be recognized as an acceptable form of photo identification.
If you do not have a driver’s license, you may obtain photo identification from Saskatchewan Government Insurance at little or no cost.

Option II:

Two original pieces of information, both of which must contain your name and at least one that contains your address. Examples of acceptable identification options include a utility bill issued to you within the last six months, and a credit card statement.

Option III:

If you do not possess any form of acceptable identification you may have another voter vouch, or provide assurance of your identity and address, for you. In this case, the following requirements must be met:

  • You must be accompanied by another voter who has acceptable identification.
  • The voter who is vouching for you must be entitled to vote in the Municipality
  • A form to vouch for another voter must be completed. These forms are available at the polling station.
  • No voter shall vouch for more than one person in an election unless the persons to be vouched for are living at the same address as the voucher and are related to the voucher in one of the ways set out in the list of an acceptable voucher.
  • The person who has been vouched for at an election shall not vouch for another person at that election.
  • No election official shall vouch for the identity of any person.
  • No candidate or candidate’s agent shall vouch for the identity of any person.


INFORMATION AND LEGISLATION AVAILABLE

The Local Government Election Act, 2015
http://www.publications.gov.sk.ca/details.cfm?p=73891The Local Government Election Regulations, 2015
http://www.publications.gov.sk.ca/details.cfm?p=77907Municipal Election Information for Saskatchewan Municipalities
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/municipal-administration/elections

Voter Identification Poster

INQUIRIES

For any questions, please contact the R.M. office for more information.

Phone 306-245-3256 or email to [email protected]