Voters report short lineups, quick process at polling stations

The City of Saskatoon says it's ready to hold the municipal election Friday after being delayed by snow.

Seven polls opened across the city on Friday at 9 a.m. The voting stations will operate much like advance polls, where anyone from across the city can vote in any location, regardless of where they live.

"Our goal through the election planning process is to provide citizens with access to a ballot — that they have a way to vote," said returning officer Scott Bastian in a news release. 

"Access to the ability to vote in this election has been solidly supported through additional advance poll locations, a heavily used mail-in ballot program, and 65 polling locations on election day which, despite the inclement weather, were surprisingly steady." 

Bastian made the decision to postpone the election Monday after heavy snow made it difficult for people to move around the city. The provincial government gave towns and cities the power to postpone their elections this year if needed due to the storm.

Marie Tupone went to City Hall with her great-nephew to vote around 9 a.m. Friday. There was a very short line outside.

The Caswell Hill senior said she knew early on Monday that she wasn't going out, and she said her great-nephew spent the day shovelling. 

Tupone said it was very unusual for her to miss voting. "Glad I made it out today," she said.

Carolyn Leach also took advantage of the extension on voting. She said she's glad the city extended the polling because she couldn't get out on Monday.

"I felt very bad and then I found later that the … election was extended," Leach said. "I was a little upset because if I had known earlier I wouldn't have worried all day."

Mixed message but a quick process, voter says

Travis Dust also thought the city could have done a better job of communicating with residents.

"When they tell you not to go out but they tell you the polling stations are open, it's kind of a mixed message," he said.

Nevertheless, Dust said the voting process Friday morning was quick, with a shorter lineup than an advance poll he went to previously — but didn't end up voting at because he didn't have time to wait in line.

Dust voted at Prairieland Park. Other voters have also reported short lineups and the city has been posting on social media about wait times, ranging from no lineup to a 20-minute wait.

Mayoral candidates weigh in on postponement

While some candidates have said a further delay is needed, as people are still getting stuck on the roads, others say the decision should be made by the electoral officer, not politicians.

"That should be left right now for the administration to deal with," said mayoral candidate Don Atchison.

"That's where it should be dealt with. Not with politicians."

Incumbent candidate Charlie Clark agreed and said people should hopefully be able to get to the polls, as roads have been getting better.

"We need to have a city council in place to get back to governing this city," he said.

"That's the balancing act. I think there will be options and means for people to get out to vote."

Mayoral candidate Rob Norris said he applauds the progress of the city in adding additional polls after the initial five were announced but he thinks it's insufficient.

"We really must have a polling station per ward," Norris said.

"The reason for this is about convenience for citizens … but also most especially for COVID — you can't take more than 60 polling stations and have them consolidated down to [seven] and say we're doing this appropriately."

Zubair Sheikh, Mark Zielke, and Cary Tarasoff are also running for mayor.

Election day information for voters

Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST.

The polling locations are:

• Cosmo Civic Centre.
• Lawson Civic Centre.
• Shaw Centre.
• Lakewood Civic Centre.
• City Hall.
• Prairieland Park.
• Ebenezer Baptist Church in Silverspring.

Voters will need to have one piece of government photo ID with their address on it — like a drivers' license — or two pieces of approved ID, with one listing the voter's address.

Voters are asked to bring their own pen, wear a mask and practise physical distancing. They're also asked to print and fill out a voter registration form to save time at the polling station.