Advance polls for the October 26 provincial election open across Saskatchewan on Tuesday.

While many will be voting on election day at the polling station on their Voter Information Card, the CEO of Elections Saskatchewan is hoping that even though there is no mandatory mask mandate in Saskatchewan that people will wear them for the few minutes it takes to cast their ballot.

“The cards which you should have this week does have a note saying masks are strongly recommended even though there is not a public health order requiring masks to be worn at most locations, but it is in the safety of yourself, others who may be voting and the workers that we ask you to wear one.” Michael Boda said.

Boda says Elections Saskatchewan officials are focussed on making sure everyone is safe at the various polling stations across the province and says the trip to vote will be no different than a trip to the grocery store or convenience store.

As for mail-in ballots, Elections Saskatchewan says while final numbers have not been tabulated, over 61-thousand people have decided to vote that way this time around which is significantly higher than the 2016 election when there were 4,420.   He reminds those who are voting by mail that ballots must be placed in the mail by 8 p.m. October 26.