Saskatchewan’s Chief Electoral Officer is recommending the province modernize its current election system, including expanding election day beyond one day. Dr. Michael Boda says a post-election survey of voters conducted by Elections Saskatchewan in 2020 found that residents want to vote when and where it suits them and not during certain hours or at certain locations.

One of his recommendations is the limited introduction of Vote Anywhere locations, which would serve any voter from any constituency, which Boda says is being explored in most jurisdictions across the country. He gives the example of someone living in one community but working in another community during the election. At one of these Vote anywhere locations, the resident could vote where they work.

Boda also believes instead of having an election day it should be an election period, which could be up to a week, so there wouldn’t be a distinction between advanced voting and election day. Another recommendation is to modernize the technology using electronic poll books and ballot tabulators. (CJGX)