Early voting was up in Saskatchewan, while bad weather had an effect on areas like the Battlefords. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW)

By Josh Ryan

Early Voting Trends

Weather, COVID-19 a factor in Election Day voting

Nov 10, 2020 | 5:20 PM

As election results from municipalities across Saskatchewan are being solidified, electoral officers have an interesting experience to reflect on, one highlighted by poor weather conditions in many areas.

Record snowfall in communities like the Battlefords likely affected some voters, with poor road conditions making travel difficult throughout Monday. Snow crews were needed to move snow from roads at polling stations, in order to give voters a place to park, but also get to the parking lot in the first place. As a result, many municipalities have reported lower turnout on Election Day than previous years, in some cases less than the advance polls.

Ash Alam, electoral officer for the Town of Battleford, said the voting total of 693 votes is around 75 per cent of the total turnout in the last election. Looking at the numbers, including a high count of 312 votes for the advance poll, Alam said the volume of voters on Monday was likely affected by multiple factors.

“Without the weather and the pandemic, there would have been more people, definitely,” he said.

Not having a mayoral race has historically affected the interest of residents in going to the polls and having high advance poll turnout accounts for many passionate voters, which combines with poor weather for a myriad of deterrents for the less interested. However, Alam said he was pleased with the numbers.

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“Regardless of that, we had a very nice crowd show up for both days, the advance poll and Monday,” he said.

Taking COVID-19 concerns into consideration helped keep the Alex Dillabough Centre well-spaced out for lines and Alam said residents had a positive reaction to the steps taken.

“The way we separated the booths was a way people liked,” he said. “I’m so glad that many of our elderly citizens came and voted.

There hasn’t been a breakdown of the overall voter turnout from North Battleford yet, which is expected Thursday morning. There were 2,350 total votes casted between the mayoral candidates.

“It will also help with shift workers or others that can’t get away on Election Day. The easier you make it for people, the more hopefully that will come vote.”

In Meadow Lake, there were 769 voters. Out of the total, 255 came to the advance polls, which is 33 per cent of this year’s total and an increase in advance voting from 2019’s mayoral by-election of six per cent. While 2020’s turnout was up 187 votes from 2016, the city was still down 55 votes from the by-election.

City Clerk Jessica Walter said looking at the changes to the legislation shows the view of early voting has changed. Until a few years ago, voters had to state they couldn’t make it to a polling station on Election Day in order to vote at an advance poll.

“In 2016 they got rid of it and started saying that you have to give voters an opportunity to vote early,” Walters said.

There are other factors that likely contributed to this year’s early turnout, according to Walters. After running election protocol the same way for years, this year’s addition of another building for one of the advance polls resulted strong turnout. Having a candidate forum near those dates could have piqued interest as well. Walters said a key takeaway is the idea of making this as easy as possible for voters, instead of doing the minimum.

“Going from that [idea], we really want to solidify that as the point of advanced polls,” she said.

Having multiple polling days has also helped turnout. Walters said the provincial polls are a great example.

“Multiple days open till 8 p.m. really improved advanced voter turnout, and I think we can learn from that going forward in our next election,” she said.

Having more opportunities to vote could also help reduce the impact that weather had the ability to get to a polling station. While Walters pointed out that Election Day took place two weeks later than normal, she said it wouldn’t hurt, considering the unpredictability of weather in Saskatchewan.

“It will also help with shift workers or others that can’t get away on Election Day,” she said. “The easier you make it for people, the more hopefully that will come vote.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyansports