Election Procedures for Municipalities

Councils are elected for four-year terms starting with the first meeting following the election. When required to hold a byelection, the elected member holds office for the remainder of the unexpired term of the person who they replaced. Towns, villages and cities that do not have a ward system may increase or decrease the size of their council by passing a bylaw at least 180 days before the general election.

Resort Villages

• On Saturday, July 27, 2024, the next general election for mayor and councillors in a resort village will be held.
• Council consists of an elected mayor and a minimum of two councillors.
• Resort villages that are divided into wards elect the proper number of council members for each ward.

Rural Municipalities

• On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, general elections will be held for councillors representing odd-numbered divisions and the reeve.
• On Monday, November 9, 2026, municipal elections will be held for councillors representing even-numbered divisions.
• Council consists of an elected reeve and one councillor per division.

Cities, Towns and Villages

• On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, cities, towns and villages will hold a general election for mayor and councillors.
• Council consists of an elected mayor and a minimum of two councillors.
• Municipalities that are divided into wards elect the proper number of council members for each ward.

Northern Municipalities

• On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, northern municipalities will hold a general election for mayor and councillors. However, northern municipalities can set an alternate date if they do so 90 days prior to the general election date noted above. Contact the northern municipality to confirm the date of their election.
• If an alternate date is determined by council, the date must be either:
  • The second last Wednesday in September;
  • The last Wednesday in September; or
  • The first Wednesday in October.
• Council consists of an elected mayor and a minimum of two councillors.

The nomination period opens at least 10 business days before nomination day. The period begins when the returning officer publishes and posts the call for nominations for a general election or byelection. Nominations may be filed anytime during regular office hours from the time the call for nominations is posted until the deadline.

Note: Public disclosure statements are required to be attached to all nomination papers.

Resort Villages

• Nomination day is the fifth Saturday before election day, unless the municipality has set an earlier date by bylaw.
• Nomination papers must be signed by at least five voters of the resort village.
• Deadline for filing nomination papers is 2 p.m.

Rural Municipalities

• Nomination day is the fifth Wednesday before election day, unless the municipality has set an earlier date by bylaw.
• For the office of councillor, nomination papers must be signed by at least two voters of the division in which they are seeking election.
• For the office of reeve, nomination papers must be signed by at least two voters of the rural municipality.
• Deadline for filing nomination papers is 4 p.m.

Cities, Towns and Villages

• Nomination day is the fifth Wednesday before election day, unless the municipality has set an earlier date by bylaw.
• Nomination papers must be signed by at least:
  • Five voters of the municipality or ward (if applicable), in a city, town or village with a population of less than 20,000; or
  • 25 voters of the municipality or ward (if applicable) in a city with a population of 20,000 or more.
• Deadline for filing nomination papers is 4 p.m.

Northern Municipalities

• Nomination day is the Wednesday that is five weeks before election day, unless the municipality has set an earlier date by bylaw. Check with the municipality to confirm the date of the election.
• Nominations papers must be signed by at least five voters of the municipality.
• Deadline for filing nomination papers is 4 p.m.

Persons eligible for nomination as a candidate in any Saskatchewan municipality must meet all the requirements listed for the municipality they wish to run in:

Resort Village

• Is at least 18 years old on the day of the election.
• Is not disqualified pursuant to this or any other Act.
• Is a Canadian citizen at the time that he/she submits the nomination paper.
• Has lived in Saskatchewan for at least six consecutive months immediately preceding the date on which he/she submitted the nomination paper, AND:
  1. In that resort village, or on land now in that resort village, for at least three consecutive months immediately preceding the date on which he/she submitted the nomination paper; OR
  2. Is the assessed person with respect to property in the resort village, or on property now situated in the resort village, pursuant to Section 207 in The Municipalities Act, for at least three consecutive months immediately preceding the date on which he/she submitted the nomination paper; OR
  3. Is the spouse of a person mentioned in paragraph 1 or 2 above.

Rural Municipality

• Is at least 18 years old on the day of the election.
• Is not disqualified pursuant to this or any other Act.
• Is a Canadian citizen at the time that he/she submits the nomination paper.
• Has lived in Saskatchewan for at least six consecutive months immediately preceding the date on which he/she submitted the nomination paper, AND:
  • Lives in Saskatchewan; AND
  • Is eligible to vote in the rural municipality.

City, Town, Village or Northern Municipality

• Is at least 18 years old on the day of the election.
• Is not disqualified pursuant to this or any other Act.
• Is a Canadian citizen at the time that he/she submits the nomination paper.
• Has lived in Saskatchewan for at least six consecutive months immediately preceding the date on which he/she submitted the nomination paper, AND:
  • Has lived in that municipality, or on land now in that municipality, for at least three consecutive months immediately preceding the date on which he/she submitted the nomination paper.

Information about voter eligibility in a general election can be found under Voting.

As required under Section 140 of The Local Government Election Act, 2015, the administrator or his/her designate is required to submit municipal election results to the Minister as soon as possible after a municipal election or byelection. Please read this fact sheet that answers frequently asked questions about reporting municipal election results.

Municipalities are required to electronically submit their election results using the Municipal Elections Results Form.

Municipalities should also update their information in the Municipal Directory.