Voting in the 2020 provincial election is officially underway.
Advance polls opened at noon Tuesday across Saskatchewan. Sask. Party Leader Scott Moe took time Tuesday morning to send a message to Saskatchewan voters in front of Saskatoon Riversdale candidate Marv Friesen’s office.
“Often, we look towards election day, that being October 26th. This year, I think given the circumstances that we’re faced with, with the COVID-19 pandemic— we should look at the election as a week-long process,” he said.
Advance polling continues from noon to 8 p.m. daily until Saturday.
With Moe encouraging voters to get out and exercise their democratic right to vote, he was asked why mandatory masking wasn’t implemented at Saskatchewan’s polling stations. All workers are required to wear a mask, with voters strongly encouraged to wear a mask.
“We have had masking rules when you are not able to physically distance,” he said, listing off ‘superspreader events’ as examples of non-compliance with Saskatchewan’s public health orders.
“What we have in place, works. The masking policy that we have in place is very clear, and it works.”
Moe said if guidelines aren’t met by Saskatchewan residents, “there’s a good chance” that you would spread COVID-19, and that residents will be fined.
With current guidelines including a two-week quarantine period, if symptoms arise from COVID-19 or a positive test, it creates another challenge for Saskatchewan voters.
A symptom could mean a day away from the polls, but Moe has a message for those feeling ill or unwell heading into election day.
“If anyone does acquire symptoms in the next few days and may not be able to attend in-person at a voting station, they should reach out to Elections Saskatchewan,” he said, pointing to the Elections Saskatchewan website, which can be accessed here.
Meili brings campaign to Prince Albert, reiterates STC promise
The Saskatchewan NDP was on the road for Tuesday’s campaign trail.
Leader Ryan Meili was in Prince Albert, reiterating his plan to restart the Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC)— if elected.
“When the Sask. Party was elected in 2016, they promised investments but delivered cuts. This STC bus is a symbol of those cuts and of the broken trust between Scott Moe and Joe Hargrave and the voters of Prince Albert,” Meili was quoted in a press release Tuesday.
The NDP claims that private passenger companies operate just 11 per cent of STC’s original points of service, which they said are “leaving thousands abandoned.”
Following Meili’s announcement in Prince Albert, he and his team headed back to Saskatoon.
He held a short media availability before heading to vote within his home riding of Saskatoon Meewasin.
“This time, this election, you don’t have to settle for this same old, same old, tired, status quo, Scott Moe,” Meili said before heading to the advance polling station.
“We’re going to cast our vote for change, for a new government, for a new Premier. One that will finally put people first.”
. @Sask_NDP Leader @ryanmeili is speaking in front of his campaign office this afternoon, minutes before casting his ballot for the 2020 provincial election.
He says Saskatchewan doesn’t need to settle for the “same old, Scott Moe.” #skpoli #yxe pic.twitter.com/MyOm8Gxf1I
— Brady Lang (@BradyLangSK) October 20, 2020
Meili is up against two other candidates in the Saskatoon Meewasin riding. The Sask. Party’s Rylund Hunter and the Green Party’s Jacklin Andrews are looking to unseat the incumbent Meili come the Oct. 26 election day.