It's been a little over half a year since the Saskatchewan Party's Everett Hindley won the Swift Current provincial byelection to ultimately take over as MLA from former-Premier Brad Wall.

And although voters don't go to the polls for the next provincial general election until November of 2020, that election is on the minds of parties.

"As a political party we always try to be as prepared as we can well in advance of the election," said Hindley. "Our local executive, we work with the head office of the Saskatchewan Party in Regina just in terms of planning and preparation. So we're always gearing up for an election."

Riley Sharp - recently-named president of the Saskatchewan NDP's Swift Current executive - said a big focus for them is cuts to education.

Hindley said since the byelection, not a lot has changed in terms of what the big issues will likely be in the general provincial election.

"I don't think a lot has changed dramatically since the byelection. What I would say, is the economy is always top of mind. We can't do anything as a provincial government unless the economy is moving along."

He added that things like NAFTA and getting pipelines in action have big implications for the province.

The Saskatchewan Party hung on to all three seats that were up for grabs on March 1, in Swift Current as well as Kindersley and Melfort, while the NDP took Saskatchewn Party seats in a byelection in Regina Fairview a year ago, and Saskatoon Meewasin a year and a half ago. Advance polls are open for a September 12 election day in Regina Northeast.

Nominations aren't close for the Saskatchewan Party or NDP. Hindley said they won't be getting their campaign team together for a while yet. On the opposition side of things, Stefan Rumpel hopes to help out the NDP whether he's able to be the candidate for the second time in a row or not.