Statistics show that more Canadians visited advance polls this year compared to the last federal election.
Numbers from Elections Canada show that 4,774,963 participated in advance voting during the Thanksgiving long weekend. It’s a significant boost from 3,657,415 in 2015.
In Saskatchewan, 149,043 residents attended advance polls – an increase from 91,891 recorded four years ago. Here’s how many people took part in each Saskatchewan riding, along with results from each province/territory:
- Battlefords-Lloydminster: 8,734
- Cypress Hills-Grasslands: 8,470
- Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River: 5,045
- Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek: 11,524
- Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan: 10,181
- Prince Albert: 9,586
- Regina-Lewvan: 14,394
- Regina-Qu’Appelle: 9,205
- Regina-Wascana: 13,572
- Saskatoon-Grasswood: 14,710
- Saskatoon-University: 14,816
- Saskatoon West: 11,930
- Souris-Moose Mountain: 9,264
- Yorkton-Melville: 7,612
| Province | Number of votes at advance polls |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 36,234 |
| Prince Edward Island | 25,843 |
| Nova Scotia | 135,644 |
| New Brunswick | 138,740 |
| Quebec | 1,218,165 |
| Ontario | 1,680,060 |
| Manitoba | 115,678 |
| Saskatchewan | 149,043 |
| Alberta | 578,219 |
| British Columbia | 689,690 |
| Yukon | 4,251 |
| North West Territories | 2,437 |
| Nunavut | 959 |
| Canada | 4,774,963 |
Regional media advisor with Elections Canada Marie-France Kenny said they’ve noticed numbers have been trending higher every election.
“If I remember correctly, from 2011 to 2015, we still had about the same number of people who voted more than the previous election. So we keep growing in numbers,” she explained.
Kenny thinks the decision by Elections Canada to extend their advance poll hours this year helped increase voter turnout. Part of the reason was to mitigate longer lineups experienced in the previous election.
Each province and territory saw an increase in voter turnout from the last federal election. One interesting statistic from their data indicates how there were more voters who attended advance polls in Saskatchewan than in Manitoba, despite the latter having a larger provincial population.
Manitoba reported 115,678 voters over the weekend, up from 104,198. However the province was affected by a destructive snow storm last weekend.
Kenny mentioned how the weather played a big role in closing or moving several polls. “I’m sure if that wouldn’t have been the case, the numbers would have been higher,” stated Kenny.
People who were affected by the storm or were evacuated from their community will still have a chance to cast their ballots. One option is through a super poll which has been established at the University of Winnipeg for evacuees who have not voted yet.
And there will be an opportunity for workers who have been assisting with relief efforts, too. Workers from Saskatchewan and Manitoba who have been helping to restore power and haven’t voted yet will receive special ballots.
Election day is on October 21.
