The two leading parties in the election are the incumbent Saskatchewan Party, led by current premier Scott Moe, and Carla Beck, the leader of NDP and Official Opposition. The two parties have been polling closely. Earlier this year, six cabinet ministers and forty-six MLAs of the current Saskatchewan Party announced they would not seek reelection, but they now have a full slate of 61 candidates. 

Election Accessibility: Voting Changes for 2024

Saskatchewan’s Chief Electoral Officer announced key strides being taken to make voting more accessible to the province. Including mail-in ballots, electronic poll books, extended voting hours and a voting week expected to begin on October 22 and close on October 28. This is expected to increase overall voter turnout and participation from rural constituencies. 

Key Issues: Agriculture, Rural Health, and Education

Saskatchewan’s farmland represents about 40% of Canada’s total farmland, and over a third of its population is comprised of rural residents. As such, the agricultural and natural resource sectors are at the forefront of critical issues for many voters, and much of Saskatchewan politics has catered to a rural-urban split. Saskatchewan’s resource economy is at the forefront of the Saskatchewan Party’s priorities, while the NDP’s key campaign promises include Improving health care services in rural regions and investments in primary education.

The differing policy priorities of each party’s supporters have resulted in what is projected to be a very close race. The campaigns in the coming days will be transformational for voters in deciding the future of Saskatchewan’s provincial politics.