Number of voters at municipal election advanced polls up across Waterloo region

The number of people turning up to vote at advanced polls or online or by phone is up compared to four years ago.

Waterloo, Kitchener and Wilmot held traditional advanced polls with paper ballots earlier this month.

Cambridge did as well, but is also offering the option of online voting. North Dumfries, Woolwich and Wellesley is allowing voters to cast a ballot online or by phone.

Waterloo saw 2,540 residents vote in five advanced polls. That's up from 2,371 in 2014 and 1,979 in 2010.

Wilmot had 650 people vote in two advanced polls. That's up from 525 in 2014.

Kitchener reported 3,623 people voted in advanced polls, which is similar to 2014.  

In Cambridge, 2,074 people attended advanced polling stations in person while 1,815 people have already voted online.

Cambridge's clerk Michael Di Lullo said he didn't have exact numbers for advanced polling in 2014 but "we have changed the advanced voting days/times offering more days. However, it is a slight increase," he noted. 

• Waterloo Region Votes 2018 | Election coverage from CBC Kitchener-Waterloo

In Wellesley, 383 people had cast ballots online and by phone as of Friday, Oct. 19. That's up significantly from the 93 people who attended advanced polls in 2014.

In Woolwich, six per cent of eligible voters have already voted online or by phone, and that's up from 4.4 per cent who went to advanced polls in 2014.

Deputy clerk Jeff Smith said in a release feedback has been mainly positive.

North Dumfries said it will publish voter turnout on its website after the election day.

For Waterloo, Kitchener and Wilmot, voters who have not yet cast a ballot can attend voting stations on Monday.

Voters in Cambridge will also have the option of going to a voting station on Monday or they can vote online. Online  voting in Cambridge closes at 7:59 p.m. on Monday.

Voters in Wellesley, Woolwich and North Dumfries can vote online or by phone until 8 p.m. on Monday.