The by-election is to fill the open seat on the Southeast Cornerstone Public School Division's Board of Trustees takes place on Wednesday, September 28th, at their offices.

It will determine who will represent Weyburn for the remainder of the term, vacated six months ago by Melanie Sorensen.

By-elections don't tend to get as good a turnout as regular elections, said Chief Financial Officer Shelley Toth.

In fact, just 28 voters turned out for their advance poll last week. 

"Usually we do get quite a few more on the actual Election Day," she noted. "Usually it's a four year term, so this term would have been up in 2024 and then it would have been run in conjunction with the City of Weyburn Mayor and Councilor elections, so you obviously get a few more people turning out to vote when they're going to vote for other things other than just a school board members." 

Toth said it's always good to get involved in the democratic process.

"This election allows you to select your local representative on the public school board," she explained. "We actually have 10 board members in total, two that represent the city of Weyburn, and two that represent the city of Estevan, and then there are six rural subdivisions. This one we have on Wednesday is just representation for the city of Weyburn. So in order to qualify to vote you actually have to reside in Weyburn."

Recently, another Trustee for the SECPSD board, Jennifer Wilkinson, has also announced she is leaving the school board prior to the end of the term. Wilkinson told Discover Weyburn this was due to the time commitment the role demands of the Trustees.

"We've had a couple of by-elections here in Weyburn, just because we've had some board members that have passed away, but we've also had a few that have left because they didn't realize the time commitment, and so hopefully the next person that runs is able to fill their four year term." 

Voters can get to the polls, located at 88 18th Street, as soon as they open at 9:00 a.m. up until they close at 8:00 p.m. 

"They just need to bring some ID with them," Toth advised. "They need to be a Canadian citizen 18 years of age, have lived in the school division for three consecutive months preceding the day of the election, and have lived in Saskatchewan for six consecutive months preceding the day of the election. 

Only Weyburn residents are eligible to vote in this by-election.

Those running are Cameron Weber, Megan Schick, and Dana Pretzer.