The election website for North Battleford is now live. (Submitted Photo/City of North Battleford)

By Josh Ryan

Voting Season

City of North Battleford launches election website

Aug 28, 2020 | 2:00 PM

As we near election season in Saskatchewan, the City of North Battleford is preparing the rush of residents looking for information.

The city’s municipal election website went live Friday morning, providing details for those seeking office and those trying to decide who to vote for. Potential candidates can submit their profile to the site, where voters can find out more information about them and their platform.

Dustin MacDonald, communications administrator, said the page should be very helpful for voters and potential candidates.

“It’s full of information on important dates and important forms required for those wanting to run as a candidate,” he said. “And this will be a great place for voters to read up on their candidates running for council and mayor.”

There’s also a special page designated to provide all details surrounding COVID-19 safety precautions, including use of PPE, sanitization, mask wearing and facility use. MacDonald said they are working to keep voters and workers safe.

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“That page will be continuously updated and we encourage residents to check out the page and ensure, for their knowledge, that we are doing everything on our part to ensure it’s safe for all voters,” he said.

The city will have multiple advance polling dates, which are yet to be announced. Debbie Wohlberg, returning election officer, said they’re hoping that as many people as possible can vote the traditional way.

“It’s easier for the residents, so they don’t have to worry about doing anything different than the way they’ve been activating their vote in the past,” she said. “We’re making it convenient and safe as possible for anyone to use the regular means of voting.”

However, Wohlberg said they’re going to make sure everyone has the opportunity to vote, even if they can’t make it to a polling site. One of the methods is through mobile polls, where people can make an application to have a team go to their location and take their vote.

“[Individuals who are] disabled, they can’t get into a regular polling place,” she said “Or they have a caregiver. The caregiver can also apply.”

The deadline for mobile poll applications is October 26. A similar option is special polls, designated for personal care facilities that have residents specifically in there that don’t have to leave.

Another option for voters uncomfortable or unable to vote in person is mail-in ballots. These applications can be acquired at City Hall or online, but require adequate identification, and online applications also need an eligible witness.

“An eligible voter who has lived with that household member for at least two years or more, an eligible voter who’s a family member or an occupational professional,” Wohlberg said.

Because of concerns of COVID-19 transmission, Wohlberg said they are hoping the multiple advance polling dates, having a large location with one entrance and one exit and other precautions will allow for safe voting procedures that encourages almost everyone. However, concerns of COVID-19 transmission could see an increase of applications for voting with the other options.

“We don’t know if we are going to have a lot of mail-in ballots, but we may,” she said.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports