Elections for rural municipalities are held every four years. Wednesday, November 13th, 2024 is the provincially set date to elect Reeves and Councillors in odd-numbered divisions in rural municipalities.

Rural municipalities hold an election for selected divisions every two years (odd-numbered divisions in one election period and then for even-numbered divisions in the following election period). Each council member holds office for a four-year term.

Municipal Election Day

The R.M. of Lajord No. 128 will be holding a municipal election on November 13, 2024, for the Reeve and Councillors for Divisions 1, 3, 5 & 7.

Candidate Information

In order to be eligible to run for election for Reeve or in any one of the open divisions, a person must meet all of the following conditions:

• At least 18 years of age on the date of the election
• A Canadian Citizen
• Eligible to vote in the municipality (See Voter Eligibility)
• A resident of Saskatchewan
• Not disqualified from being nominated by The Local Government Elections Act, 2015 or any other Act

A person cannot be nominated or elected as:

• A Councillor for more than one division; or
• A Councillor of a division and the Reeve of the municipality

A member of Council whose term of office expires with the upcoming election is not required to resign from his or her current position to seek election.

Disqualifications

Persons who are not qualified to be nominated or elected as a member of Council include:

• A judge of a court; and
• The auditor or solicitor of the municipality

Before seeking nomination to Council, employees of the municipality, employees of any board or commission appointed by R.M. Council, or employees of a board of education must first obtain a leave of absence in accordance with subsection 80(2) of The Labour Standards Act.  If the employee is successful in being elected to Council, the person is deemed to have resigned from his or her employment on the day before he or she was elected.  Unsuccessful employee candidates are entitled to resume their employment when the leave of absence expires.

Persons having an interest in a contract with the municipality are not disqualified from holding office as a member of Council.

Powers and Duties

Candidates have the right to:

• Be in the polling place to observe proceedings while voters are voting.
  • In addition, each candidate may have two agents in attendance at each polling station to observe voting procedures;
  • Candidates and agents may enter and leave the polling place at their pleasure during the hours the poll is open. 

Candidates and/or Agents may:

• Object to the entitlement of any voter intending to vote;
• Examine a voter’s evidence of identity and residence;
• Request verification of vouching procedure;
• Be in the polling place when it closes to observe the ballot count;
• Object to a decision made by the deputy returning officer to count or reject a ballot;
• obtain a copy of the Deputy Returning Officer's Statement of Results;
• affix their own seal to the ballot box after ballots have been counted;
• request a recount, if statutory conditions exist; and
• attend a recount.

Candidates or agents do not have any authority to:

• directly question a voter; or
• attempt to influence a voter.

Each candidate may appoint one or more agents in writing, using the prescribed from provided by the municipality after the close of nominations.

Information and Legislation Available

• The Local Government Elections Act, 2015
  http://www.publications.gov.sk.ca/details.cfm?p=73891

• The Local Government Elections Regulations, 2015
  http://www.publications.gov.sk.ca/details.cfm?p=77907

• The Ministry of Government Relations has develped a new document aimed for informing citizens of the requirements and process of running for municipal council.  It is geared towards individuals who may be interested in or considering running for council in the upcoming municipal election.  The intent of this document is to better inform citizens of the process of running for council and to provide a brief overview of what they can expect should they be successful in their quest of municipal office. Consider Running for Municipal Council - Citizens Guide for Candidacy in Municipal Elections

• Consider Running for Council Video Series - Four pre-recorded videos that break down the guide condent into shorter video clips by topic:

1. Democratic Governance, Purpose of a Municipality and the Role of Council
2. Learn More About Your Municipality, Considerations Before Running For Council, Time Commitment and Responsibilities
3. Key Standards and Values and Responsible Conduct of Council Members
4. How to Run for Council, Campaigning and Key Documents After Being Elected

Inquiries

For any questions or concerns, please contact the R.M. office for more information.

Phone 306-781-2744 or email to cao@rmlajord.ca

Voter Eligibility

An eligible voter is entitled to vote only once for Reeve and only once for Division Councillor in the division he or she is entitled to vote in, notwithstanding they may meet more than one of the qualifications.

A person is qualified to be registered as a voter in a rural municipality if he or she on the day of the election:

• is 18 years old;
• is a Canadian citizen;
• has not already voted in the election; and
• immediately preceding the day of the election meets at least one of the following criteria:

1. has resided in the rural municipality for at least the last 3 consecutive months;
2. is the registered owner of land in the rural municipality or the purchaser of land in the rural municipality under a bona fide agreement for sale;
3. is assessed as an occupant of any land in the rural municipality pursuant to a lease, licence, permit or contract in agreement with the registered owner;
4. is assessed with respect to an improvement in the rural municipality;
5. is the holder of a permit in the rural municipality with respect to a trailer or mobile home;
6. is the spouse of a person described in clause (b), (c), (d) or (e);
7. is the chief executive officer of a duly incorporated co-operative, corporation or religious association that is assessed on the last revised assessment roll with respect to property in the rural municipality that is not exempt from taxation.

Voter Identification

All voters must provide identification to be eligible to vote. The purpose of the voter identification is to provide proof of identity and to establish residency. Government-issued photo identification is your best option but there are other alternatives available to you.

Option I:

One original piece of identification that includes your photo, name and address.
The identification must be issued by a federal, provincial, or municipal government, such as a Saskatchewan Driver’s Licence.

If your identification does not meet these criteria it will not be recognized as an acceptable form of photo identification.
If you do not have a driver’s licence, you may obtain photo identification from Saskatchewan Government Insurance at little or no cost.

Option II:

Two original pieces of information, both of which must contain your name and at least one that contains your address. Examples of acceptable identification options include a utility bill issued to you within the last six months, and a credit card statement.

Option III:

If you do not possess any form of acceptable identification you may have another voter vouch, or provide assurance of your identity and address, for you. In this case, the following requirements must be met:

• You must be accompanied by another voter who has acceptable identification.
• The voter who is vouching for you must be entitled to vote in the Municipality
• A form to vouch for another voter must be completed. These forms are available at the polling station.
• No voter shall vouch for more than one person in an election unless the persons to be vouched for are living at the same address as the voucher and are related to the voucher in one of the ways set out in the list of an acceptable voucher.
• The person who has been vouched for at an election shall not vouch for another person at that election.
• No election official shall vouch for the identity of any person.
• No candidate or candidate’s agent shall vouch for the identity of any person.

Voting - Election Day

Eligible voters can vote at the polling station set up within the municipality.  The Notice of Vote will be posted following the close of the nominations and will include details about the location of polling places.

Electoral Divisions

How to determine your electoral division

On the tax notices mailed out in August, it identifies which division a property owner is entitled to vote. In addition, a list will be posted in the R.M. office of all assessed land owners and the division in which they vote. 

The division in which a person is eligible to vote is determined by the first applicable clause:

1. The division where the voter resides:
2. The division where the voter owns assessed property; or
3. The division where the voter holds a permit as the occupant of a trailer or mobile home.