VOTER QUALIFICATIONS

A person is qualified to vote in a municipal election for the offices of Mayor and/or Councillor if that person:

1. is at least eighteen (18) years of age or older on election day; and
2. is a Canadian citizen (on election day); and
3. is a Saskatchewan resident and has so resided for at least six consecutive months immediately preceding the day of the election; and
4. is a resident of the City of Melfort, or on land now in the City, and has so resided for at least three consecutive months immediately preceding the day of the election;    OR    is the owner of assessable land in the City, or land now situated in the City, and has been so for at least three consecutive months immediately preceding the day of the election.

Note:

Please consult Section 36 of The Local Government Election Act, 2015 for purposes of interpretation of these requirements.

Rules of Residence:

The following is a summary of the rules of residence, as set out in The Local Government Election Act, 2015:

Rule #1: The residence of a person is the place at which he or she resides and to which, when he or she is absent from that place, that person has the intention of returning.  The place they typically call "home".

Rule #2: A person who is temporarily absent from their normal place of residence does not lose residency, as long as they remain in Saskatchewan, until such time as he or she has acquired another residence.

Rule #3: A person who is not a full time student cannot have more than one residence in Saskatchewan.  If they have more than one home in Saskatchewan, the person shall elect one of those as his or her residence.

Note:

• Active members of the Canadian Armed Forces are deemed to have ordinary residence at the place where they reside, or at the place they have moved from if that place is in Saskatchewan, for the duration of their service.
• Full time students are deemed to have residence at the place where they study and the place they have moved from when the places are in Saskatchewan

Please consult Section 3 and 4 of The Local Government Election Act, 2015 for purposes of interpretation of these rules.

Commonly Asked Question about the Eligibility to Vote:

Although the general rule is "one vote per voter”, one exception to this rule occurs where a person is a qualified elector of a municipality in which he or she resides and is an elector of another Saskatchewan municipality in which he or she has been the owner of assessable land for at least three consecutive months immediately preceding election day.  This person may vote in both municipalities.

A full time student may vote in both the place where they study and the place they have moved from when the places are in Saskatchewan.

An elector is a "natural person", not a corporation.

VOTER IDENTIFICATION

All voters must provide identification to be able to vote, in order to prove identity and residency.  Government-issued photo ID that shows your photo, name and civic (street) address is your best option, but there are other alternatives available to you.

Acceptable Photo Identification

• A valid Saskatchewan Driver's License that includes civic address
• A valid Saskatchewan ID card issued by SGI or any motor license issuer (free for seniors)
• Any other valid government-issued photo ID issued by a Canadian government whether federal, provincial or municipal, or an agency of that government, as long as it includes your name and civic address

Acceptable Non-Photo Identification

In the absence of valid photo ID, voters must have two pieces of identification, both of which have the voter's name, and at least one of which also has his or her civic address.  For example, a Canadian passport is not an acceptable form of photo ID because it does not contain your civic address; however, a Canadian passport can be used as identification if paired with another document that has your name and civic address on it.  Click here for a list of Acceptable Voter Identification options.

MAIL-IN BALLOTS

All eligible City of Melfort voters can participate in the 2024 municipal election by mail-in ballot.  Click here for instructions on Applying for a Mail-In Ballot. (Coming Soon)

Starting on Monday, September 16, 2024, eligible voters can apply to vote using a mail-in ballot.  Applications will be accepted by e-mail, mail, or application may be made in person at the City Clerk's Office, City Hall, 202 Burrows Avenue West from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.  Applicants must complete a voter's registration form and produce the necessary voter identification (see above instructions on applying for a mail-in ballot). 

In mid-late October a ballot kit will be mailed to you at your mailing address.  It will contain a ballot and instructions on how to complete and return the ballot package.  It is very important that you carefully follow the instructions for completing and returning the ballot.  In order to be counted, your ballot must be received by the Returning Officer by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.  Return postage is the responsibility of the voter.

VOTING AND ELECTION DAY

Advance Polls:

Regular Polls:

Polling stations are located at the  Kerry Vickar Centre, 206 Bemister Avenue East, on Election Day.

Polls are open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Election Results:

Election results will be officially declared by the Returning Officer by 12:00 p.m., on the day immediately following Election Day.

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