Record-breaking number of Canadians voting at advance polls

By Taran Parmar

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – There’s been a surge in voters turning out to advance polling stations across the country, according to new data from Elections Canada.

More than 2 million Canadians cast their ballots in the first two days the polls were open, a 25-per-cent increase in turnout compared to the 2015 election. Advance voting began Friday.

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Andrea Marantz with Elections Canada says the convenience of advance voting is appealing to most people.

“There’s always advance polls, but these are extended hours and more locations to make it more accessible to people, because we were seeing this was something that Canadians wanted,” she said.

“Election Day, when it’s just down to one day, we never know what the weather’s going to be doing […] they might be away out of town, and so they like to have an opportunity to be sure that their vote counts.”

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Those results don’t even include voters at university campuses, local offices or those who cast their vote by special ballot.

Monday is the last day of advanced voting across the country. Polling stations are open until 9 pm.

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