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Federal election 2015: Calgary polls crowded before voting closed

The polls have now closed in Calgary, after a day that was quiet at times but saw long lineups with the after-work crowd at some polling stations.

835,249 registered voters in Calgary with Elections Canada predicting heavy turnout

CBC News ·

UPDATE: Polls have now closed across Alberta. Read our main election story for an overview of the latest results in Calgary and southern Alberta or tune into our live blog for the latest updates from CBC reporters on the ground throughout the province.

The polls have now closed after Calgarians cast their ballots in Canada's 42nd general election.

Polling stations were open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. across the province.

When the polls opened at this morning, Grace Hosack was one of the first in line to cast a ballot.

"It's finally over," she said of the marathon campaign.

Others at the polling station at Sacred Heart School in Calgary Centre echoed that sentiment, relieved to see the end after 78 days of politicians vying for votes.

"I just want to have it over. Just want to make my vote and see the results," said Ken Montgomery.

Montgomery figures the lengthy campaign, along with the tight race, may help voter turnout.

"I think a lot more people got engaged, just from the advanced polls — that's an indication that people are interested in this election."

Up and down

Political scientist Lori Williams says through the long election campaign, all the federal parties have been up and down in opinion polls — something unusual which has caught the public's attention.

"The fact it's different, the fact that we don't know who's going to win, means that it's a little bit more exciting or perhaps troubling for some people," Williams said.

On the Siksika reserve east of Calgary, the polling station temporarily ran out of ballots in the afternoon.

Spokesperson Leanne Nyirfa says that was due to higher than expected turnout and that a returning officer was getting more ballots.

Voters were asked to be patient and wait about 20 minutes until the ballots arrived.

In Calgary, many polling stations were quiet throughout the day but filled up as people left work.

Lineups were spotted at Connaught School in the Beltline and St. Mary's Hall in Mission.

Unlike recent federal elections, many observers believed some ridings in Calgary could be in play.

During the campaign, candidates have been focused on convincing swing voters to pledge their support. Now, it's all about getting them to the polls, says independent pollster Janet Brown.

"On election day the strategy changes. You zero in on your core support, you zero in on those people that you are absolutely certain they will vote for you, and you get them out to vote," she said.

"And if you do a better job getting your base out, that's what's going to win it for you on election day."

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi says he was excited to vote in the federal election.

"After this long, divisive, challenging, difficult campaign, I just thought, what a privilege it is to be able to go and cast my ballot. And it did it first thing this morning. And I feel great about this place we live, and I hope everybody does too," he said. 

There are close to 2.7 million registered voters in Alberta, according to Elections Canada, with 835,249 in Calgary alone.

Elections Canada expected there would be a heavy voter turnout for Monday's election. Some early-morning slowness on its website seemed to bear out that prediction. 

The agency says returning officers are able to bring in more staff if lineups get too long.

You can follow along live on our election results page, which CBC News will be updating continuously on Monday night as the ballots are counted.

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