(Photo by Colton McKee)

By Charles Lefebvre

Advance polls

Elections Canada reporting increased turnout at advance polls

Oct 15, 2019 | 11:19 AM

OTTAWA, ON. — Elections Canada is reporting an increase in advance poll turnout for the federal election nationwide compared to 2015.

According to preliminary data released Tuesday, Elections Canada says approximately 4.7 million people cast ballots during the four days of advance polls, which ran Thanksgiving weekend.

The organization says this is a 29 per cent increase from the same time period during the 2015 election, where 1.6 million advance votes were cast.

Leanne Nyirfa, a spokesperson for Elections Canada, says the organization noticed an increase in advance voting in the 2015 election, and made preparations to help accommodate those voters.

“For 2019, we increased the number of hours for the polling stations,” she said. “For 2015, the polls were open from noon-8 p.m. for the four days. In this election, we had them open 12 hours, from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Across the country, we also had 25 per cent more polling locations, so we had a few more places to vote. We also had an extensive campaign, where we let people know that the advance polls are going to be available.

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Elections Canada says this number does not include people who voted in local Elections Canada offices, by special ballot or on college and university campuses as part of the Vote on Campus program.

Advance polls closed on Monday. Elections Canada says final turnout numbers for advance polls will be released on Wednesday.

Those who weren’t able to make it to the advance polls this weekend have one final opportunity to cast their vote ahead of election day on October 21.

Voters can cast a ballot at an Elections Canada office in their riding until 6 p.m. Tuesday night October 15.

In Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner, the main office is located in Medicine Hat at 939 Kingsway Avenue Southeast. An office is also located in Cardston, at 71 2^nd Avenue West.