After much deliberation, new legislation has been put forth by the Government of Saskatchewan. The changes will avoid the close proximity of the provincial and municipal elections in 2020 and any future conflicts as well. 

Originally scheduled to be just five days apart the new rules have the 2020 elections now spaced out by 14 days. The provincial election — where Scott Moe will aim for re-election as Premier – will take place on October 26, with municipal and school board elections to follow on November 9. 

"After consulting extensively with both rural and urban municipalities, it was clear they wanted to keep their elections in the fall of 2020," Premier Moe said in a news release. "We believe we have reached a reasonable compromise that will allow local officials time to prepare for these changes." 

Changes to the legislation will have permanent effects. Starting in 2020, all provincial elections will take place on the last Monday of October. Meanwhile, the municipal and school board elections will be bumped to the second Wednesday of November, excluding Remembrance Day. The elections will continue to take place every four years. 

Premier Moe, Justice Minister Don Morgan and Government Relations Minister Warren Kaeding made the announcement yesterday afternoon. 

With the exception of the 2016 election due to the federal election, the previous four provincial elections have all taken place in the fall. It appears it will stay that way for the foreseeable future. 

"Fall elections make sense because they don't disrupt the legislative calendar," Moe attested in the release. "The government can still introduce the Throne Speech in the fall and a budget at the usual time in the spring."