Advanced voting stations remain busy in Winnipeg

After a record-setting first day of advance voting in Canada’s federal election, the polls here in Winnipeg continue to see a steady stream of traffic.

Elections Canada reported a record 2 million voters on Friday. They didn’t have an update for media on Monday, but voters in Winnipeg reported long lineups.

“Seems like a big interest in voting early, so might as well get ‘er done as they say in Canada,” said Herb Sterman, a voter.

“I came actually on the weekend and I’ve been fighting a flu bug, I was finally getting over it, so I didn’t want to stand for 30-40, but as you say, it looks like it’s going to be the same today but I’ll wait ‘er out.”

Voters are coming for a variety of reasons, including mobility, timing, and expediency.

“We’re trying to avoid the crowd there and the long line-ups. I have problems with walking and long distance,” said Dave Wiens, a voter.

Murray Mackay said, “We have a cottage on a lake that’s remote, and we plan to be there next week.”

While Rick Anders said he was voting early, “Just to beat the rush.”

But even on the final day of advance voting, Winnipeggers reported much longer lines than in previous years.

“I didn’t end up voting today because it was a 40-minute wait. They told me to come back during the Jets game. So I’ll do that. I’ll PVR the game and watch it later,” said Steve Penner, a voter.

Carol Hildebrand, another voter, said, “I could tell there was a lot more people voting and I was really happy about that.”

The popularity of advance voting this year may bode well for the Liberal Party, according to political science expert Chris Adams.

“In 2015, Justin Trudeau had a spike in turnout, and he was reaching into younger adults and Indigenous peoples, and a lot of people who usually don’t vote. So I would say that an increase in votes is better for the Liberals in many ways,” Adams explained.

He’s not ready to call the full weekend a huge one for voter turnout. But he thinks the early high voting numbers could be driven by multiple factors.

The two new leaders at the forefront in Mark Carney and Pierre Pollievre, more familiar with advanced voting or simply the holiday Friday, and the weather.

“So I’m not sure exactly how to read this. I wish I could be more clear on this. I hope it means an outburst of voting participation, and it might be,” said Adams.

After advance voting ends Monday night, Canadians can make their vote count in one week on April 28 for the general election.