Manitoba's 43rd general election is expected to officially get underway today, with the writ being dropped and the election period beginning. Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson is expected to make the election call at some point today.

Over the next few weeks there are a number of important dates:

September 11th is the close of candidate nominations.

Advance voting happens September 23rd to September 30th. Advance polling places will be open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily, and noon to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Provincial election day is Tuesday, October 3rd, with polls open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Heading into the election, the Manitoba Legislature consisted of 57 seats; 35 Progressive Conservatives, 18 New Democratic Party, 3 Liberals and one vacant. The vacant seat was Morden-Winkler, and became vacant when previous M.L.A. Cameron Friesen stepped down to seek the nomination for the federal Conservative Party of Canada in Portage-Lisgar. 

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