TORONTO — A record-setting turnout at advance election polls is proving both encouraging and frustrating for many voters.
More than 1.6 million Canadians have cast their votes at advanced polls so far, a 34 per cent increase over the first two days of advance polls in the last federal contest.
“I’m also excited by the possibility of people caring about this election in a way that I haven’t seen before,” Beaches-East York voter Catherine Combs told Global News.
READ MORE: Important times, dates and info for voting in the 2015 federal election
However, that positivity is also tempered by some frustration at the long lines and wait times for casting an early ballot. Some voters have complained of waiting as long as an hour to vote.
Elections Canada says it’s been swamped by the higher-than-anticipated turnout.
Some wary voters are turning to Twitter, using the hashtag #PollWatch to voice their complaints and warn others of long lineups.
Elections Canada has made several changes to attract more voters after the dismal 61 per cent turnout in 2011. Among those, 2015 marks the first time that advanced polls have stayed open for four days.
A new pilot program has also set up polling stations at 39 university campuses across the country.
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