Five candidates are officially in the running for a provincial seat in the Saskatoon Fairview constituency.

Historically, Saskatoon Fairview used to be an NDP stronghold. But in 2011, Jennifer Campeau won the constituency by 247 votes for the Saskatchewan Party. She won the seat again last year by an even closer margin, with just 182 more votes than the NDP.

Campeau quit last June, and now Saskatoon Fairview is back up for grabs.

Jennifer Campeau won the Saskatoon Fairview seat in 2011 and 2016 by a close margin. (CBC)

Where the wind blows...

"The Sask. Party continues to look at these byelections as indications of how the winds are blowing and whether they will continue to blow into their sails, or whether they're going to create problems for them," said Joe Garcea, a faculty member in political studies at the University of Saskatchewan.

Garcea added that with five names on the ballot, any of the candidates from the Liberal, Conservative and Green parties could siphon off enough votes for the Saskatchewan Party and NDP to make a real difference on the outcome.

"For the Sask. Party, if they can hold the seat, I think that will be a sort of indicator that what they've been saying is they're on the right track, even if it wasn't very popular," said Charles Smith, a political science professor at St. Thomas More College.

Charles Smith is a political science professor at St. Thomas More College. (CBC)

"For the NDP, if they can win, that puts another bit of more wind in their sails given that Mr. Meili won his seat in the last byelection not too long ago as well. So there's a lot on the table for both parties."

Cameron Scott is running for the Saskatchewan Party, while Vicki Mowat is running for the NDP. Shah Rukh is running with the Saskatchewan Liberals. Taylor Bolin is with the Green Party, and David Prokopchuk is for the Progressive Conservatives.

What voters want

The winner will represent Confederation Park, Massey Place, Pacific Heights, Kensington and Parkridge in the legislature.

Seniors, immigrants, and working class families live in Saskatoon Fairview and it will be crucial for the candidates to appeal to the issues that matter for these voters.

"Get rid of the debt, first and foremost," said Brenda Vandale, a Saskatoon Fairview voter. "You got to pay for your services."

"They're fooling around with people's livelihoods and things are getting sort of tough nowadays. There's lots of homeless people. I'd like to see them think about everyone, not just the people with money," said John Van de Nobelen, another voter in the area.

Get rid of the debt, first and foremost. - Brenda Vanale, Saskatoon Fairview voter

Some experts say that the Saskatchewan Party's budget may be unpopular, but the NDP has yet to present voters with its vision for Saskatchewan.

Aug. 28 is the deadline to get on the voters list but eligible voters can still register on the day that they vote.

Advance polling will be open from 3 to 10 p.m. CST on Aug. 31, Sept. 1 and Sept. 5, and from noon to 7 p.m. on Sept. 2 and 3. Advance polling will be closed for Labour Day on Sept. 4.

Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 7.