Saskatchewan Municipal Elections 2024: Voters Head to the Polls for Mayors, Councillors, and School Board Trustees
Saskatchewan residents are returning to the polls today, November 8, 2024, for municipal elections. This key voting day gives citizens the opportunity to shape the future of their local leadership, from mayors and reeves to councillors and school board trustees.
In Saskatoon, polling stations will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST, while in Regina, polls open at 9 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. CST. The focus in Regina has been largely on critical municipal spending and strategic plans for infrastructure renewal, including the replacement of aging facilities like the Lawson Pool and the central branch of the Regina Public Library.
The race for Regina’s mayoral office is competitive, with 11 candidates vying for the position. Additionally, the city council will see substantial change, as six of the current councillors have chosen not to run for re-election, ensuring significant turnover at Henry Baker Hall. A total of 53 candidates are competing for the 10 available councillor seats, highlighting the strong interest in shaping Regina’s governance.
As these elections proceed, both Saskatoon and Regina are pushing for greater voter engagement. Regina has struggled with low voter turnout in previous municipal elections, with rates falling below 50% for several decades. In 2016, the turnout was particularly low at just 20%, and in 2020, it only slightly increased to 21%. Saskatoon, while doing somewhat better, has also seen a decline: voter turnout reached 40% in 2016 but dropped to 27% in 2020.
With the heightened focus on key issues and significant leadership changes, there is hope that voter turnout in 2024 will surpass previous elections.
For residents looking to make their voices heard, this election represents a valuable chance to influence the future of Saskatchewan’s local governance, priorities, and community projects.
Source : Swifteradio.com
