Advance polls extended by 2 hours after computer glitch
CBC News | Posted: September 27, 2018 4:56 PM | Last Updated: September 27, 2018
Polling stations at university and CEGEP campuses and returning offices will now close at 4 p.m.
Advance voting hours have been extended today after computer glitches caused delays at polling stations.
The glitches affected stations on some university and CEGEP campuses and at returning offices for a second day Thursday.
At St. Charles Parish in Pointe-Saint-Charles, student Véronique Dufour thought she would have enough time to change her address before attending class. She ended up waiting over an hour, missing her class.
"They're doing their best, I guess, but I feel like there's a lot of frustration in the waiting room," she said.
Computers at that polling station were down for an hour this morning.
Some voters gave up and left after seeing the delays at the polling station.
"I made a plan to come and vote today, and I thought 30 to 45 minutes would be enough," said Laurence Garant, another voter at the parish. She says she'll try again later today.
Élections Québec told CBC News that Wednesday's glitch was resolved last night, and that today's slowdown is likely due to their system being overloaded with requests at busy polling stations across the province.
Quebec's chief electoral officer decided to prolong today's hours until 4 p.m.
After advance polls close today, voters will have to wait to cast their ballots until election day: Monday, Oct. 1.
with files from CBC intern Franca Mignacca