Report to Saskatoon city council describes changes to civic election procedures, polling station locations

Polling stations will be set up at all three Saskatoon hospitals, Parkridge Centre, and at 38 long term care facilities, in addition to two dozen other locations in each of the city’s 10 wards.

It’s all part of a provincial government request to keep voting practices the same for both the civic and provincial elections this fall, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scott Bastian, Returning Officer, says the voting process needs to be adapted this year. For instance, in-person voting will look a lot different.

“We’ll have divider screens between the election officials and the voters. Elections officials will be wearing gloves and masks, there will be hand sanitizer upon entry and exit of the facility, one-way directional traffic, doing our due diligence to make sure there’s no congregation of people, maintaining physical distancing, and whatever else may come along the line, in terms of direction from the province.”

At this point, the recommendation is to set up polling stations at St. Paul’s Hospital, Royal University Hospital, City Centre Hospital and at Parkridge Centre on election day- Nov. 9, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Advance polling stations may be set up at the long term care facilities on Nov. 2-4 from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.

According to the report, voting will take place in common areas, and from room-to-room with an election official remaining outside, while a staff member brings a ballot box to the patient.

Bastian says during a ‘normal’ election year, homebound voting would also take place. That would occur when someone couldn’t leave their home because of a disability or mobility issue, and an elections officer would visit their home to record their vote.

That won’t be allowed this time around.

“We’ll be encouraging the mail-in ballot. And that again, is following suit with elections Saskatchewan protocol,” he said.

While mail-in ballots have been allowed in years prior, this time the process will be modified to allow for voters to apply for a ballot online. In 2016, a voter had to apply in-person.

And there will also be Saskatoon’s first-ever drive-through polling station.

“It is an advanced poll, and we do anticipate it will be a popular option…that is located in the north industrial area on 46 Steet at the Access Transit building,” he explained.

Bastian will also be authorized to make any necessary changes or adjustments to the plan because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A report will be presented to Saskatoon City Council on Monday.