Elections Sask. completes final step in vote counting process
Elections Saskatchewan completed the final step in the vote counting process from the provincial election on Saturday.
Workers with Elections Saskatchewan went over votes cast by mail-in ballots received between Oct. 27, and Nov. 7, along with votes that were cast from hospitals and remand facilities. The final count also verified ballots.
“They're not professional election administrators, and that's great. They're part of the civil society. They're part of the volunteer sector, although they do get paid. People have responded well, giving back to their communities. We've seen some close races closer than before in the last two cycles, at least but it has gone very well,” said Michael Boda, the Chief Electoral Officer for Elections Saskatchewan.
The results were combined with the first and second preliminary counts.
In the 30th general election, nearly 460,000 people cast ballots by the end of the last day to vote.
“We held our first preliminary count and counted almost 440,000 votes. They had been cast in person locations across 61 constituencies, at one of the 396 licensed nursing homes in the province or through homebound voting.”
The voter turnout for this election was 56 per cent.
“I don’t think I’m going to satisfied until it’s 100 per cent of voters participating,” Boda added. “Although Elections Saskatchewan really isn’t responsible for voter turnout, it’s part of being in a democracy, and there are a lot of people that need to be involved.
On Oct. 30., Elections Saskatchewan held their second preliminary count.
“We counted more than 20,000 additional votes by mail ballots that have been received by October the 26th,” Boda explained.
The final count was an important step before results can be certified on Nov. 20.
“When the writs are returned, certifying who has won elections in each constituency, it’s legislative responsible to write the clerk of the Legislative Assembly, advising her who has been elected to the Assembly,” Boda said.
Overall, Boda said the process for this election has gone really well.
“A general election is the largest event that will occur in Saskatchewan. We have over 800,000 voters and as you see, about half of those have voted. It unfolds in every community in the province,” he said.
Looking ahead to the next election, Boda said there are things they would like to work on and things they could change when it comes to the voting and counting process.
“As we move forward in the cycle, there’s always elements that we’re working on over a number of cycles. I often say an election is not like a speedboat. It’s much more like a ship that we have to turn slowly. It takes a number of cycles to move in a particular direction,” he said.
According to Elections Saskatchewan, candidates and financial agents can request a recount until Nov. 20. Following that date, all 61 returning offices will complete a Return to the Writ and send it to the Chief Electorial Officer. The officer must then inform the clerk of the Legislative Assembly of the winning candidates.
After this process, the winning candidates can then be sworn in as Members of the Legislative Assembly.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Former B.C. premier John Horgan dies at 65
Former B.C. premier John Horgan, who helped the provincial NDP return to power after 16 years on the sidelines, has died.
Body found in Montreal park identified as cryptocurrency influencer
The body of a man that was found in a park in the Ahunstic-Cartierville borough last month has been identified as cryptocurrency influencer Kevin Mirshahi.
Here's why thieves may be stealing butter in Canada
The case of the missing butter remains a mystery, but some have ideas on what's behind the unusual crimes.
B.C. teen with Canada's first human case of avian flu in critical condition, Dr. Bonnie Henry says
The teenager who is sick with the first-ever human case of avian influenza acquired in Canada is in hospital in critical condition, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday.
What consumers need to know if Canada Post workers strike ahead of a busy holiday season
Canada's postal workers could walk off the job or the company could lock them out as soon as 12:01 a.m. ET Friday if the union and the company don't reach an agreement. Here are tips for shoppers and businesses.
Ottawa high school principal apologizes for song played during Remembrance Day assembly
The principal of an Ottawa high school is apologizing to students, parents and guardians after an Arabic-language song was played during the school's Remembrance Day service. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is conducting a "thorough investigation" to ensure it "is addressed appropriately and meaningfully."
History in Halifax is slowly being wiped off the map: study
Saint Mary's University archeologist Jonathan Fowler is sounding an alarm with a new study. According to Fowler, the centuries-old architecture that adds to Halifax’s heritage and historic vibe is slowly being wiped away as the city grows.
Bev Priestman out at Canada Soccer in wake of Olympic drone-spying scandal
Bev Priestman is out as coach of the Canadian women's soccer team in the wake of an independent report into the Olympic drone-spying scandal.
Trump picks former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel
President-elect Donald Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel, Trump announced Tuesday.