A familiar name will join Darren Hill on the ballot for Ward 1. Kevin Boychuk is running again in this civic election. He lost to incumbent Darren Hill in 2020 by only 56 votes. There are now five candidates for Ward 1. Ward 2 has six people running and there is no incumbent in that ward. There are three candidates who have filed nomination papers in Ward 3.

Incumbents Bev Dubois and Zach Jeffries in Wards 9 and 10 respectively are still the only candidates in their wards. The only other incumbents are Troy Davies in Ward 4 where two other candidates have filed nomination papers and Randy Donauer in Ward 5 where there are three other candidates vying for a seat on council. There are five candidates so far in Ward 6 and four in Ward 7. At this point there are eight people running in Ward 8.

The number of candidates running is important because in accordance with a city bylaw where there are five or more candidates the names will be arranged randomly on the ballot. This is in accordance with The Local Government Election Act. If there are fewer than five candidates, then the names are arranged alphabetically.

All five candidates running for Mayor have now filed their nomination papers that being Don Atchison, Cynthia Block, Mike Harder, Cary Tarasoff and Gordon Wyant.

So, on Wednesday at 5 p.m. there will be a random ballot name draw in Council Chambers for the affected Wards. If after the draw a candidate withdraws their nomination by 4 p.m. on Thursday, the name will be removed and if that means there are then fewer than five candidates the names will be listed on the ballot in alphabetical order.

Nomination papers must be submitted by 4 p.m. Wednesday in Saskatoon, Martensville, Warman and Prince Albert.