Manitoba votes in provincial election, and history could be made

It’s Election Cay in Manitoba, and history could be made.

Polls are showing Tuesday night’s election rests between two parties.

If Heather Stefanson leads the incumbent Progressive Conservatives to a third straight majority, she’ll be the first woman to be elected premier in a Manitoba general election.

If the NDP wins, Leader Wab Kinew will become the first First Nations premier of a province in Canada.

With a couple hours remaining to cast ballots, and here’s what voters had to say.

June Page voted Tuesday morning, but has no idea what to expect when the results roll out.

“No clue. I have my hopes but I don’t know what’ll happen,” said Page. “Even if I am, like, busy in my life, I think it’s important to take the time to be informed and make a choice.”

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Barbara Ediger also hit the polls Tuesday morning. She says she was surprised at how her constituents campaigned in the area.

“You know, it’s hard to predict. If you look at the polls, I would say it’s going to be an NDP win,” said Ediger.

“Let’s be honest. We’re in Wab Kinew’s constituency. So he’s pretty out there. Forefront. But I would have thought the others would have at least put in an effort to let us know that they were running.”

Alysia MacDonald says it was easy for her to make a choice when she voted, as her friends kept her informed of each party’s platform.

“Honestly, I think it’s going to be close,” said MacDonald. “I know what the basis for every party is and I think it was easy to come to a decision because of the knowledge I’m given.”

Meanwhile, Curtis Bulback says he doesn’t know which party will come out on top, but he hopes meaningful change happens to address the province’s most pressing issues.

“We definitely need a change. Look at the housing situation, look at the food situation, look at the economy right now,” said Bulback.

“I just want equality, right? So if that is not the Liberals or it’s not whatever team that does do it, that’s fine by me.”

With different voting experiences leading up to Tuesday night’s election, it’s clear many people will be on the edge of their seats, watching the results pour in.