Regina Northeast byelection held today

NDP looking to add MLA, other parties measuring message

In Wednesday’s byelection, the Saskatchewan NDP will look to add one more MLA to its 12-member caucus, while the Saskatchewan Party will look to hold onto the Regina Northeast seat it has held since 2011.

The other parties with candidates running — the Green Party, Progressive Conservative Party, Liberal Party and Western Independence Party — will be using their vote tallies as a measure of how well their message is (or isn’t) resonating with voters.

Although the byelection was not called until mid-august, candidates had been preparing for the race ever since March, when Sask. Party MLA and former finance minister Kevin Doherty stepped down from the seat.

As is the case with many byelections, the campaign trails of each candidate have been largely quiet. Efforts of party machines, or candidates, are believed to be largely focused on canvassing potential voters, either on the doorstep or over the phone.

But it has not been a byelection entirely void of controversy. The NDP, which is running Yens Petersen as its candidate, dug up two pieces of dirt on Gary Grewal, the Sask. Party nominee. Grewal signed a petition opposing Sask. Party education cuts and has previously donated to the Liberal Party.

Polls are open throughout the constituency on Wednesday until 8 p.m.

Voter turnout in byelections is generally lower than in general elections.

In Regina Northeast during the 2016 general election, there were 12,448 registered voters, and about 58 per cent of them cast a ballot.