Uxbridge hits record numbers at advance polls

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

"People are eager to vote."

That comment from a poll worker at Zephyr Community Hall summed up the heavy turnout at advance polls around the township on the weekend.

Staff at the polling centre at the arena/community centre said Friday the advance polls there were busy all day Friday, with people standing in line at times. Returning officer Andrew Leung confirmed that Friday saw a lot of traffic at the polling stations.

At the Sandford community centre, staff said Monday they estimated about half the people registered to vote at that location had cast their ballots in the advance poll. They also noted that "lots of young people" had voted.

Down at Goodwood Public School, staff agreed Friday was busy but said the rest of the weekend was slower and saw voters coming in in fits and starts.

The Uxbridge Township turnout at the advance polls mirrored what was seen across the country. Elections Canada reported on the weekend that more than two million Canadians cast their ballots at advance polls on Friday, setting a record. As of press time Tuesday, Elections Canada claimed at least 7.3 million Canadians had already voted.

The early voting centres were open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Monday. Election Day is Monday, April 28.