Voters flock to the polls on first day of advanced federal election voting

A day after the federal leaders' debate and 10 days before the 44th general election, Canadians eager to cast their ballots got a chance to do so on Friday, the first day of advanced voting.

In London, Ont., some reported waiting an hour to vote. At the South London Community Resource Centre on Jalna Blvd., a steady stream of voters arrived, eventually having to wait 45 minutes to make their mark. 

Some polling stations in London reported lineups before the doors even opened at 9 a.m.

Elections Canada was expecting a high voter turnout during the advanced polls, which last for four days this year, said Rejean Grenier, the agency's spokesperson for Ontario.

"From what we're hearing across the country, polls are very busy since this morning," Grenier told CBC News. "We were expecting that because that's the trend with advanced polls in past elections."

Some voters CBC News spoke to said they wanted to get voting over with, while others said they were hoping to avoid crowds because of COVID-19.

Voting locations limited due to COVID-19

There are fewer polling locations this election because schools, often the site of voting in neighbourhoods, aren't allowing outsiders in because of the pandemic. The situation has led to fewer, but larger, polling locations, which in some cases has upped waiting times, Grenier said. 

"That's the reason we have four days (of advanced voting), so I hope people will remember that they don't all have to rush today to go and vote. There are four days where they can vote, until Monday night, at 9 p.m."

For more information on the election and where to vote, visit Elections Canada's website.