By Darren Rathwell

Hatters head to the polls on federal election day

Sep 20, 2021 | 12:27 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A bright, chilly morning greeted Medicine Hatters as they headed to polling stations to cast their ballots in the federal election today, as a steady stream of voters came out to at least one location.

The polls opened at 7:30 a.m., and Elections Canada says activity at Medicine Hat polling stations has been busy, although there was no lineup at the Stampede Grounds location when CHAT News was on scene this morning.

An ongoing flow of voters passed in and out of the doors, including some who were hoping a new government would take power.

“I just think we need a different change in government,” said one voter.

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Another voter CHAT News spoke to said she was excited and nervous.

“Excited that we may get a change and nervous that it might go the wrong way,” the voter said.

Elections Canada, meanwhile, told CHAT News that voting could take longer than normal.

“It’s two metres apart when you’re inside (the polling station). We’ve had no issues but expect it to be busy in part because of COVID,” said Elections Canada spokesperson Leanne Nyirfa.

She says some new elections staff are also on hand and patience is requested as they go through the paces of their new employment.

Other voters weren’t pleased about an election taking place only two years into the federal Liberal’s mandate.

“It’s a waste of time, but you know, (Liberal leader Justin Trudeau) called it. So we gotta go do it I guess.. He shouldn’t have called it during the pandemic,” one voter said.

“The majority of voters are in Ontario. They should have just let Ontario vote in whoever (sic) they wanted to,” another voter said.

Some have a more easy-going tact on voting again today.

“No problem. Gotta do it sooner or later. The sooner the better.. I think it’s gonna be a tough one.. (Trudeau) called it two years early. I don’t think people were prepared for this. I’m sure there’s going to be a little bit of animosity,” one voter told CHAT News.

If advance polls are any indication, it could be a sizable turnout at the polls. Nyirfa says 13,956 advance polls were cast in the Medicine Hat riding, up from 11,957 in 2019.

Polls close today at 7:30 pm.