Over 10,000 people cast their ballot early in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex at the advance polls set up across the riding over the weekend.
Overall across Canada, preliminary figures estimate that some 3.6 million electors voted at the advance polls in this general election, Elections Canada officials said.
The numbers are a 71% increase from the 2,100,855 electors who voted in advance in the 2011 general election.
The estimated total in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex is 10,453.
“Many Canadians chose to vote at advance polls in this election,” said Marc Mayrand, chief electoral officer of Canada. “Having four polling days provided greater flexibility and convenience for voters.”
The advance polls were open from Friday, October 9 to Monday, October 12.
This increase was due in part to an additional advance voting day on Sunday, offered for the first time, Elections Canada officials said.
Over 850,000 Canadians voted on Friday and over 1.2 million on Monday, representing the two busiest days of advance voting ever.
These preliminary figures are based on numbers reported by returning officers and are not final until all the votes are counted on election day and the results have been validated by the returning officers. The final results will be published in the official voting results following the election.
When it was introduced in 1920, voting at advance polls was limited to certain groups of voters whose work required them to be away from their electoral districts on election day. Today, it is one of several voting methods that may be used by any elector who wishes to vote before election day.
– Photo credit: Elections Canada
