Long lines at advance polling stations across Vancouver (PHOTOS)
What’s causing the long lines at advance polling stations in Vancouver?
On Friday, there were a number of social media reports of long lines and disorganization at Vancouver polling stations. There were even reports that there was just one voting booth set-up for the advance polling station at Creekside Community Centre, which created a 45 minute waiting time to vote.
@VancityBuzz #Vancouver crazy long lines and not enough people to process the voters. Feels like a form of #VoterSuppression
— Sherry H (@GodinGal) October 9, 2015
Over at King George High School in the Vancouver West End, wait times grew to over two hours according to a tweet by Vancouver Park Board communications manager Margo Harper.
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As well, there were reports of long lines at advance polling stations in Vancouver Quadra, Vancouver East and Vancouver Kingsway. Eagerness turned into frustration, with some people seen leaving lines without voting.
But the long lines in the region were far from being isolated situations as long lines were also experienced at some stations across the country, including in Toronto, Calgary and Montreal.
Long lines could also be a sign that there is a greater interest in voting in this election. After all, this is the first federal election in four years and polls show this will be a tight race, which in turn means more people could be motivated given that ‘every vote counts’.
Advanced polling stations are open daily until Monday, October 12 from noon to 8 p.m. For more information on where to vote in your electoral district, find out at Elections Canada’s Voter Information Service.
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Long line at an advance poll in Vancouver.People getting mad and walking away.Hang on…democracy’s worth it. pic.twitter.com/y1nkT8PLIH — Melanie Nagy (@MelanieNagyCTV) October 9, 2015
@MelanieNagyCTV @lettienets There’s still four more days to vote. Hope they come back.
— Elizabeth J Duncan (@ElizabethDuncan) October 9, 2015
@Raffi_RC Vancouver Center Advance Poll: long line. EC used to be better than this. Legacy of the Harper years. pic.twitter.com/TDAQUaKViH — Ron Austin (@AustinDotRon) October 9, 2015
Lines are long for advanced polls in Vancouver #elxn42 #vote2015
— Willy Wozy (@willyBwozy) October 9, 2015
@ElectionsCan_E there was only 1 voting booth set up at the advance poll at Creekside in Vancouver. 45 minutes to process a dozen voters. — BringBackCanada (@bringbackcan) October 10, 2015
Line up at advance polls in W End. Waiting half an hour still 30 mins from voting #elxn42 pic.twitter.com/36ee1Gcn1o
— Margo Harper (@margomedia) October 9, 2015
Magic door tantalizingly close:ONE HOUR wait advance polls W End Clerks just got more ballots#elxn42 pic.twitter.com/IFapqEPXKE
— Margo Harper (@margomedia) October 9, 2015
Long line-ups, more hour wait to vote in advance polls @ King George Secondary in West End Vancouver #elxn42 pic.twitter.com/KnMBEfwAT6
— Margo Harper (@margomedia) October 9, 2015
More than 2 hours to cast vote in W End advance poll Elections Canada you need a better system #elexn42 pic.twitter.com/COvfa1xPGD
— Margo Harper (@margomedia) October 9, 2015
@MelanieNagyCTV Sorry but we should have internet voting, it’s 2015!
— MTL#1 (@habsexpos) October 9, 2015