Long lines at polling stations as Canadians turn up for advance voting

Canadians across the country are reporting long lines at polling stations as advance voting opens on Friday ahead of the upcoming federal election. Advance polls are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. nationwide from Friday through Monday, with election day scheduled for April 28.

Many voters have expressed their enthusiasm to cast their ballots early, leading to longer than usual wait times. James Knight, a voter in Ottawa, noted that he had never waited so long to vote before. He attributed the long lines to the increased interest in the election and the importance of the issues at hand.

In Vancouver, Peter Xing mentioned that the economy and global politics were key factors in his decision to vote early. Meanwhile, in St. John’s, Carl Aylward expressed his motivation to vote early due to concerns about Canada’s sovereignty in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump’s rhetoric.

In Toronto, voters have also reported lengthy wait times of up to two hours at polling stations. While some have praised the high turnout as a positive sign, others have criticized the slow ballot processing. Despite the challenges, many voters like Barbara Maguire in Winnipeg have expressed their excitement at the high level of engagement in the election.

Elections Canada spokesperson Dugald Maudsley acknowledged the high interest in the election and the busy polling stations. He assured voters that returning officers were working to address any bottlenecks and ensure a smooth voting process. Maudsley also highlighted the significant increase in special ballot requests, indicating a potentially high overall voter turnout.

For those planning to vote at advance polls, Maudsley recommended avoiding peak times by voting before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. He also advised bringing a voter information card, if available, to expedite the process. Additionally, he reminded voters of the upcoming voting opportunities in hospitals and acute care facilities on Tuesday, as well as the option to vote by mail.

Overall, the long lines at advance polling stations reflect a strong voter interest in the upcoming election. Canadians are encouraged to take advantage of the early voting opportunities and ensure their voices are heard on April 28.