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Elections Canada reporting increased turnout at advance polls
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 two million people cast ballots during the first two days of advance polls, which ran Friday and Saturday, representing a 25 per cent increase from the same time period during the 2015 election, where 1.6 million advance votes were cast.
Elections Canada spokesperson Leanne Nyirfa says they 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.”