Elections Saskatchewan is anticipating an increase in vote by mail for this upcoming provincial election. Spokesperson Tim Kydd says out of the total 434,000 votes cast in the last election less than 5,000 were vote by mail.

Kydd says mail in voting has been around for several elections now and was generally used by students studying outside the province or maybe Snowbirds somewhere warmer.

He says because of health concerns Saskatchewan residents may have, due to COVID-19, anyone can apply to vote somewhere besides their polling station on election day or in advance polls.

He says it is a two step process, first you apply to vote which means submit your identification and once that is accepted a voting kit will physically arrive at your residence later in September.

Inside the kit is a blank ballot and postage paid envelope so you mark the name of who you are voting for, put it in the envelope and mail it back to Elections Saskatchewan. You are encouraged to apply now and he says they have seen many applications already come in over the last few weeks

Those going to an actual poll on October 26th are strongly encouraged to wear masks. There will be clear dividers similar to what is seen in grocery stores, there will be physical distancing in the polling locations, single use pencils, hand sanitizer and repeated sanitization during the day.