Advance polls for the April 4 provincial general election will open on March 29 and will be available to any person wishing to cast an early ballot, up to April 2.
The advance polls are open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and on Saturday, April 2, from noon to 7 p.m.
That information was just one tidbit offered by Estevan Constituency Returning Officer Anita Kuntz who has set up shop in a former medical clinic site, across from St. Joseph’s Hospital, at 1175 Nicholson Road.
The Estevan advance poll will be open right next door in a former dental clinic space. Other advance polls will be offered in Oungre (Memorial Park) and Midale (Civic Centre).
It is her first foray into leading the administrative charge in a formal election, but Kuntz said she has a strong team behind her, starting with elections clerk Dianna Eagles, who will also be putting in full-time hours while five others in the office will be filling in gaps on part-time schedules.
“We have over 150 election workers who need to be trained for polling day,” said Kuntz.
The returning officer said absentee ballots are now more easily accessed … just check into the office.
“Homebound voting is a pretty new thing for those who won’t be mobile. They and their caregiver are also able to vote through an application process and it’s very easy, just call us at 306-637-3830,” said Kuntz.
Voter information cards are going out now to the general population in and around Estevan. Kuntz said voters are asked to check these cards carefully to ensure the information on them is correct. If it isn’t, corrections can be made online through the elections website.
Polling stations for the Estevan Constituency are being set up in Estevan with about 30 stations; Bienfait, Goodwater, Macoun, Benson, Midale, Macoun, Tribune (not Oungre on election day), Torquay and Hitchcock.
The Estevan Constituency’s geographic boundaries extend from Colgate to the United States border across to North Portal and then north again to a point just beyond Bienfait, over to Benson and including an area just north of Benson. The constituency also includes the village of Halbrite.
Kuntz said local citizens are urged to check the proclamations that are posted in a number of public locations such as the post office, rural municipality offices, hospitals and health clinics to check the location where they will be able to cast their ballots.
“You can also go to the user friendly elections.sk.ca site to check out your polling station,” Kuntz said. “You can’t just walk into any old polling station and vote.”
It is also important to bring proper identification with you to vote and that information you will find on the voter cards that are being mailed out.
Bring that voter information card as one piece along with a driver’s license or other photo ID and signature, she advised.
If there are discrepancies between the information on the voter’s card and your current address, Kuntz said the procedure involves bringing in two pieces of information (ID) with at least one piece including your new address and there are several options that can be used to prove your new address such as an addressed utility bill, any type of mailed invoice, telephone bill, etc.
In the past, those who voted in the advance poll were required to cite reasons for their inability to vote on the actual election day. This is no longer the case. No reasons have to be provided if you care to vote early.
“For sure, don’t assume you are voting in the same place as you did for the federal election because that probably won’t be the case,” said Kuntz.
The returning officer said she was very fortunate to have been able to fill all campaign worker slots in rapid fashion.
