Rules on Highways Signs, SHC Campaigning Guidelines & CEO Orders
Highway Signage Rules
The provincial Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure publishes rules related to placing signs along and near public roadways. I have attached a summary of those rules to this Communique – more information can also be found online at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/ transportation/highways/putting-up-road-signs/election-signs.
Canvassing Guidelines from Saskatchewan Housing Corporation
Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) has issued revised guidelines for door-to-door campaigning in their buildings. Any SHC seniors’ buildings are closed to the public to minimize the potential of exposing the seniors to COVID-19 and door-to-door campaigning is not permitted.
Candidates are not permitted in indoor common areas but candidates may book common outdoor space (if available) and SHC will provide notification to the tenants of the date and time the candidate will be in attendance. For more information, your candidates should reach out to their local SHC properties.
CEO Orders
In order to administer a successful election during the COVID-19 pandemic, certain adaptations to The Election Act, 1996 (the Act) are required. These adaptations can be broken down into two categories – first, changes required to protect against and prevent the spread of COVID-19, and second, changes required to ensure the efficiency and stability of the election system as a result of the pandemic – and will be made using the authority found in section 7 of the Act.
Section 7(3)(a) of the Act requires that the Chief Electoral Officer give notice to every registered political party when the authority contained in section 7 is used. Please accept the attached CEO Order along with this Communique as that notice. I would also ask that you communicate this information to your candidates, staff, and other party officials. One new CEO Order is attached:
CEO-Order-2020-07 Absentee Voting (Vote by Mail) and Homebound Voting: This CEO Order allows Elections Saskatchewan to modify the existing absentee voting provisions of the Act to implement a greatly expanded, centralized Vote by Mail (VBM) process. This Order also clarifies that VBM processes, including the adjusted deadline of October 15, will apply for homebound voting. This Order does not contain adapted rules surrounding candidate representatives at VBM processes – that will be provided in a future CEO Order.
Questions on CEO Orders should be directed to Jennifer Colin, Deputy CEO, at [email protected]. All CEO Orders are also posted on our website here: https://www.elections.sk.ca/candidates-political-parties/bulletins-circulars/.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Boda
Chief Electoral Officer
Province of Saskatchewan