voters

Election Day Monday, November 9, 2020

The 2020 Voter's Guide is now available!

Voter's are encouraged to read the above Guide in full to understand what is required to be a voter, including qualifications, identification, polling areas and places, voting early, transportation on election day and additional resources. A Voter Brochure will be mailed to all households in Prince Albert in October prior to the election.

To avoid line-ups at the Polls, print and fill out the Voter Registration Form prior to attending as there may be a delay due to COVID-19 protocols. Voters must sign the form in front of an Election Official at the Poll.

Who Can Vote:

Qualifications of a voter

A voter must vote in the city ward and public school board subdivision in which they reside; or must be the owner of assessable land in the City.

A person can be registered as a voter in a municipality or school division if he/she, on election day:

is a Canadian citizen;
is the full age of 18 years; and,
in the case of a municipality:
- has resided in the City or on land now in the City for at least three (3) consecutive months immediately preceding the day of the election; or,
- is the owner of assessable land situated in the City or of land now situated in the City or on land now in the City for at least three (3) consecutive months immediately preceding the day of the election; and,
- has resided in Saskatchewan for at least six (6) consecutive months immediately preceding the day of the election.

in the case of a school division:
- has resided in the school division or on land now in the school division for at least three (3) consecutive months immediately preceding the day of election and has resided in Saskatchewan for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the day of the election.

In the case of a separate school division, in addition to the requirement set out above, voters must be of the religious faith of the minority that established that separate school division, which is Roman Catholic, in the City of Prince Albert. On being registered as a voter in that separate school division, that person is not qualified to be registered as a voter in respect of any other school division.

A person who is registered as a voter in a public school division is not qualified to be registered as a voter in respect of any other school division.

Acceptable Voter identification

Voters are required to produce identification that clearly shows their name and place of residence prior to completing a voter’s declaration form.

How to Vote:

Mail-In Ballots

Mail-in ballots are provided as an option for voters to avoid having to apply or vote in-person due to the ongoing threat and spread of COVID-19.

Eligible voters wishing to vote by mail can register to vote and apply for a mail-in ballot. Once registered, eligible voters will then receive a ballot package in the mail after nomination day which is to be completed and provided back to the Election Office.

Mail-in ballots must be received at the Election Office before 8:00 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted.

Register for your Mail-In Ballot Package from Home

To register from home, download, print and complete your voter registration and declaration form. The deadline to submit your application from home is October 26, 2020.

Voter's Registration and Declaration Form Approved List of Witnesses

When you apply from home, be sure to complete the following:

Fill out and sign the Voter's Registration and Declaration Form
Make a copy of all required identification.
Have someone from the Approved list of witnesses verify your identity by witnessing your declaration form.
- You must submit with your application, a copy of your witness' identification.
- Please note, if your witness is an occupation-based professional (section 4) their identification must be a copy of their business card or professional license or registration.
Send us your completed registration form including your signature, copy of your ID, witness signature and copy of witness ID by:

email submission form;
email to pavotes@citypa.com; or
Mail to: Elections, 1084 Central Avenue, Prince Albert, SK S6V 7P3.

Register for your Mail-in Ballot Package in-person at City Hall

You can come to the second floor of City Hall between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday to register for your mail-in ballot package in-person. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot package in-person is November 9, 2020.

When you come in, be sure to have original copies of all required identification. The office will have a Voter's Registration and Declaration Form for you to complete and a designated election official to witness your signature.

To protect the public and election workers, we would encourage voters to make an appointment with the Election Office by contacting 306-953-4305 or email at elections@citypa.com.

Accepted Registrations

Provided all documentation is in order, your registration will be approved and we will mail you a ballot package with instructions in late October after the ballots are finalized.

If your registration is incomplete, unclear or illegible, we will contact you to request you attend in-person to complete the process.

Identification (ID) Requirements

Identification is required by both the applicant and the witness to register for a mail-in ballot.

Options include:

One piece of government-issued ID with your photograph, name, address and signature; or
Two pieces of information that combined, include a name, address and signature. Examples include a birth certificate, Canadian Blood Services Donor Card, Canadian Passport, Debit Card issued by a bank, Métis Nation Status Card, etc. Please see the Voter Identification list for complete options.

In the case of an occupational based professional witness, their ID submission must be either a business card or license or registration number.

The identification documents to be provided is intended for the use of the 2020 Civic Election only. Please be advised the identification information provided will be verified by the Election Office and destroyed once verification is complete.

Instructions for Witnesses

As the person who witnesses the voter's signature on the Voter's Registration and Declaration of Person Requesting Mail-in Ballot Form, you will need to review the applicant's identification and confirm that you are satisfied that the voter's identity has been established.

Non-Resident Electors

Mail-In Voting for non-resident electors: If you do not live in Prince Albert, but are the owner of assessable land in Prince Albert for at least 3 consecutive months immediately preceding the day of the election, you can vote, but only in the ward where the property with the highest assessment is located.

You can only vote for the Councillor and Mayor (not the School Boards)
The Person authorized to witness your Mail-In Ballot needs to be:
- a Family Member residing in Prince Albert, who is an eligible voter, or
- Someone living at the same address as the applicant or a neighbour residing immediately adjacent to or across from the applicant provided that the witness is also an eligible voter, or
- An occupation-based professional.

Homebound Voting

A Mobile Poll has been established only for those voters with physical disabilities or limited mobility, along with the resident caregiver of that voter.

Eligible voters are required to complete an Application by Voter to Vote at Residence and have it certified by an individual who can confirm the physical limitations of the voter. In the case of the resident caregiver, they are also required to complete an application, and have it certified by an individual who can confirm that the caregiver is providing care to that voter.

Application Forms can be printed and filled out or picked up in the Election Office at City Hall, Room 208, 1084 Central Avenue.

Deadline to submit the application to the Election Office is 4:00 p.m. on Monday, October 26, 2020.

Each applicant will be notified by the Returning Officer of the specific time when an Election Official will visit the residence.

The eligible voter(s) will be required to complete the Voter Registration Form and show the required identification prior to voting.

Special Polls

Special Polls have been established and arrangements will be made with each facility to ensure residents living in these facilities are provided with options on voting in this election.

See the Voter's Guide for the full list of facilities designated as special polls.

Election Day Polls

The City is divided into 8 polling areas/wards. Voters can only vote in the polling area/ward they live in. Polls are open 9:00a.m. to 8:00p.m. To avoid line-ups at the Polls, print and fill out the Voter Registration Form prior to attending. Voters must sign the form in front of an Election Official at the Poll.

Find out where you vote on Election Day November 9, 2020 by using the interactive Election Day Polls Map.

Drive-thru Advance Polls

Advance polls are organized to allow for voting opportunities prior to Election Day. All advance polls will be drive-thru voting at the Prince Albert Exhibition Grounds on the following dates and times:

Wednesday, October 28, 2020 - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Friday, October 30, 2020 - 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 31, 2020 - 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Monday, November 2, 2020 - 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 4, 2020 - 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 5, 2020 - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Voters with Disabilities

There are different options available for eligible voters with disabilities. You can:

bring a friend to assist at your designated regular poll; or
you can request an Election Official to assist at their designated regular poll.

AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminal and Homebound Voting are also options to consider.

AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminal

Use the AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminal that is available at the Advance Polls only.

The AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminal is an optical scan ballot-marking terminal that assists voters who are visually impaired or have physical impairments that would make it difficult or impossible to mark the ballot in the usual way. It uses a touch screen to let voters mark the paper ballots privately and independently, and is wheelchair accessible. Some of the key features include:

rocker paddle/foot switch for voters with limited motor control.
braille key pad for voters who are blind and have limited visibility.
audio function for voters who are blind or have limited visibility to hear the choices.

This terminal will be located at the Log House on Exhibition Drive. To access this feature, it would be preferable to make arrangements in advance by calling 306-953-4305.

Homebound Voting

A Mobile Poll has been established only for those voters with physical disabilities or limited mobility, along with the resident caregiver of that voter.

Application Forms can be printed and filled out or picked up in the Election Office at City Hall, Room 208, 1084 Central Avenue.

Deadline to submit the application to the Election Office is 4:00 p.m. on Monday, October 26, 2020.

Each applicant will be notified by the Returning Officer of the specific time when an Election Official will visit the residence.

The eligible voter(s) will be required to complete the Voter Registration Form and show the required identification prior to voting.

There are also transportation options through the Community Service Centre.

Where to Vote:

Find Your Polling Places on Election Day

Find out where you vote on Election Day November 9, 2020 by using the interactive Election Day Polls Map.

Election Day Polls Map

Drive-thru Advance Polls at PA Exhibition Grounds

Wednesday, October 28, 2020 - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Friday, October 30, 2020 - 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 31, 2020 - 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Monday, November 2, 2020 - 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 4, 2020 - 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 5, 2020 - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Transportation

The City's transit system will be available free of charge on Election Day to allow voters with limited transportation an opportunity to vote.

View the current bus route to plan your trip to the polls.

Seniors and Special needs

Current transportation services provided by the Prince Albert and District Community Service Centre will be available free of charge on Election Day to seniors and residents with special needs.

Book your ride by calling the dispatcher at:

Access transit - 306-953-4466
Seniors transportation - 306-953-4477

Remember to book your ride by October 30, 2020 to secure your ride.

Resources:

Helpful Resources

The Returning Officer has been working closely with Elections Saskatchewan and other municipalities across Saskatchewan to find ways to adapt the election processes to protect the health and safety of election workers and voters.