P.E.I. election likely May 4

Based on hints P.E.I. Premier Wade MacLauchlan has provided so far and the dates possible under the P.E.I. Election Act, Islanders can circle Monday, May 4 as election day on their calendars with some certainty.

MacLauchlan's latest hint came at a fundraiser dinner on March 28, when MacLauchlan told the crowd, "The next election will be before Mother's Day."

An April 27 election isn't possible because of the amount of time that must pass between the official declaration of the election writ (which signals the start of the election period) and polling day.

According to the Election Act, there must be 26 to 32 "clear days," (i.e. not including the day of the writ or election day) between those events.

The Election Act also requires polling day to be a Monday, with some possible exceptions for events such as religious holidays.

That leaves May 4 as the only possible date before Mother's Day on May 10.

The writ could be delivered anytime until the end of April 7 to allow for a May 4 election.

Before the election period can begin, the premier has to ask the Lieutenant Governor to dissolve the Legislative Assembly.

If that hasn't happened by 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, the legislature will be required to begin its spring sitting.

MacLauchlan has indicated the House won't sit before the election. Neither he nor any other current party leader on P.E.I. holds a seat.