ESTEVAN - The main polling station is now open for people to vote in Estevan's civic election.
Located at the Estevan Church of God, the polling station opened at 9 a.m. and will remain open until 8 p.m.
There are also two drive-thru polls. One is at the Estevan Fire Rescue Service's building and will be open from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. The other is at the Suds Zone Car Wash; it will be open from 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
There are three candidates - Rebecca Foord, Anthony Sernick and Zacch Vandenhurk - looking to be Estevan's next mayor. Incumbent Roy Ludwig, who has been the mayor since 2012 and a member of city council since 1994 - is not seeking re-election.
Ten candidates - Kevin Andrew, Stephen Daniel, Mathew Dubowski, Dave Elliott, Ryhan Hagel, Brian Johnson, Tom Mauss, Shelly Veroba, Kirsten Walliser and Robin Wog - have filed nomination papers for councillor; six of them will be elected.
Also on the ballot for the election is a plebiscite on whether a third ice surface should be constructed in Estevan.
Voters are asked to remember to bring their government-issued ID to vote. Acceptable forms of ID include a valid Saskatchewan driver’s licence; a valid Saskatchewan ID card issued by SGI or any motor licence issuer; or any other valid government-issued photo ID from by a Canadian government, whether federal, provincial or municipal, or an agency of that government, so long as it includes the voter's name and address.
If someone doesn't have photo identification and is unable to obtain photo ID before election day, people can present two other pieces of information, as long as both contain the voter's name and at least one contains their address. Examples include valid ID cards or certificates issued by the Canadian or Saskatchewan government, a Saskatchewan municipality or school division, a Saskatchewan Indigenous band, the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan or an agency of one of these entities; personal correspondence, benefit/contribution statements and tax/assessment notices issued by any of the above entities; bank or credit union cards, credit cards and statements; utility bills and statements issued within six months of the date of the election; or personalized attestation of residence, a letter of stay or admission form issued by a seniors or student residence, long-term care or shelter facility.
Identification that would not be acceptable as proof of identity includes ID that is expired, ID that is not original (copied or otherwise reproduced), or a general (not personal) attestation of residence, class or membership lists and other documents showing multiple names.
To be eligible, people must be at least 18 years old and a Canadian citizen on election day, as well as a resident of Saskatchewan for at least the last six months. They must be a resident of the city for at least three months or they must be an owner of assessable land for at least three months immediately preceding the day of the election.
Many people have already voted, thanks to the advanced polls that were held at city hall on Oct. 29 and 30, and the drive-thru polling station at the fire hall on Nov. 2. A mail-in ballot option was also available this year.
Elections are taking place in a number of towns and villages, as well as rural municipalities, in the southeast on Wednesday, and there will be voting in two subdivisions in the South East Cornerstone Public School Division.
SaskToday will have comprehensive coverage of the Estevan civic election once the polls close.
