Greg Poelzer says the provincial election which took place Monday is completely uncharted territory. The University of Saskatchewan Political Scientist points to the number of mail-in ballots, the number of advance votes and the fact that the outcome of as many as eight ridings still hangs in the balance pending mail-in ballots being counted.

Poelzer says they know it’s a Sask. Party majority but the outcome still matters a lot for the Saskatchewan Party.

“Does a Chris Guerette, Tina Beaudry Mellor, for instance, are they going to be a part of caucus? They are two women, Sask. Party, one is a minister and the other a candidate seeking office and both of the federal Liberal persuasion, and that can have a big moderating effect whether they’re in, or not in government.”

Greg Poelzer says the mail in votes were in the thousands in Saskatchewan for virtually every urban riding. And in NDP Leader Ryan Meili’s riding of Saskatoon Meewasin winning may depend on whether the high number of mail in votes are going to be from health care workers and teachers, of which, many live in that riding.

“And they’re the ones who have the greatest concerns because they’re on the front line with COVID and chose a mail-in ballot and we’re going to see those come in for the NDP candidates in both Saskatoon and Regina, or are those mail-in ballots classic early voting Sask. Party.”

NDP leader Ryan Meili lost by 83 votes in Monday night’s ballot box count. The USask Political Scientist says if Meili doesn’t win once the mail in ballots are counted, it will be the third time an NDP leader lost in their own riding and has huge consequences for the direction of the NDP and for Saskatchewan.

“And this raises a big, big question. Is there actually a future for the NDP in politics in Saskatchewan and indeed Canada? They’re clearly, obviously strong in British Columbia, but nationally, I think a lot of people believe the NDP, if there is a federal election, would not do very well at all across Canada.”

There are four ridings in Saskatoon affected including Saskatoon Meewasin, Saskatoon Riversdale, Saskatoon University and Saskatoon Eastview. The other ridings in the province impacted by a mail-in ballot include Prince Albert Northcote, Regina Coronation Park, Regina Pasqua and Regina University.