Regina voters take advantage of advance polls for federal election

People in Regina are casting their ballots early for the federal election with advance polls open from Friday to Monday. (Sierra D'Souza Butts / CTV News)

Regina voters are taking advantage of advance polls for the federal election this Easter weekend.

With polls opening at 9 a.m. on Friday morning, people lined up to cast their ballots at locations around the city.

Depending on a person’s riding, some people had to wait as long as 90 minutes to two hours to place their vote. Others had zero wait times.

The polling station at Campbell Collegiate was one that drew in a crowd.

“It’s quite busy at this particular poll, but I’ve spoken to Manitoba as well, they are [also] busy,” shared Marie-France Kenny, regional advisor for Elections Canada.

“Typically, the first day of advanced polls in the morning are pretty busy, and it’s the same in Saskatoon as well today.”

Despite the long wait for voters to cast their ballot, Kenny said the crowd was encouraging to see.

“There are lineups, and also our staff are getting used to it. As the day goes, they are getting faster and faster, but people are really patient and friendly talking to each other,” she shared.

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“There are people from this neighborhood, you typically vote in your own neighborhood. The people who work there are typically your neighbours, so people are just friendly and chatting with each other.”

Although the election is set for Monday April 28, advance polling stations will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

There are three ridings in Regina, all with incumbent Conservatives running again for their seats.

Regina-Lewvan covers a portion of the City of Regina, and areas north and south of the Trans-Canada Highway.

Regina Qu’Appelle covers parts of the City of Regina, rural municipalities surrounding the city, and several First Nations communities and villages.

Regina-Wascana covers a portion of the city’s south side and areas east of downtown.

Voters in the city and across Saskatchewan, are encouraged to view their voter information card to check which poll station they should vote at or visit elections.ca.

“We don’t want to mislead voters because you might be used to voting in one place, but because boundaries have changed, you might be voting at a different place this time,” Kenny explained.