Advance polls produce long lines, complaints over wait times

It may not provide much solace to the voters today who were frustrated by long lines at advance polling stations, but Elections Canada suggests they should take a more optimistic view about our democratic process.

SergeFleyfel, a spokesman for the agency,said it was good news to see so many people out voting.

"People are exercising their democratic right to vote," added James Hale, also an Elections Canada spokesman.

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While many Canadians no doubt are grateful to participatein thedemocratic process, somewere just wishing the administration of that process, especially when it comes to voting,couldrun a little smoother.

Many Canadians complainedFriday, the first day people could vote in advance polls, about insufficientstaffing,long lineups and long wait times.

Test of patience

"We are hearing reportsfrom across the country about two-hour, three-hourlineups," saidQuitoMaggi, president ofMainstreetResearch. "People walkingaway."

"It's going to be a real test of people's patience, and to see whether or not people do have the patience, to sit in line for two, three, four hours."

In Kanata, Ont., for example, Ross Glasgow said he and his wife spent 75 minutes at hisadvancepoll in a line ofonly about 30 people. He said they wereasked for theirID twice, whilethe staffhand-wrote outinformation on a separate sheet. And all this, he said, was done through one station with two people at the booth.

"Several people left. Will they return? I rather doubt it."

Over at #PollWatcha Twitter forum set up by CBC News for people to discuss issueswith voting, Michael Dorland tweeted, "At my local poll what used to take a few minutes now took over an hour. Incompetence or bad process three ID checks!?"

LauraFrieseninRegina tweeted, "95 minutes to vote at 2p.m. at Sunset Church in Regina."

Advance polls open and not everyone is happy

9 years ago

Duration 2:47

Some voters are frustrated by long lines and wait times

In Montreal, Moira Carlay said there wereover 100 people waiting at her polling station.When she learned the waiting time 1hours at the timeshe went Carleyleft without voting, as shehad to leave on a business trip.

"There were only 15 people in front of me, but it took an hourandahalf to vote. There was only one scrutineer," one voter told CBC News."Seems like they hadn't thought it through. Poor planning."

All this comes on the heels of a series of complaints from voters overmistakes on voter information cards

The scale of the problem at advance pollsis difficult to determine, as the people who encounter problems tend to be more vocal than those who had no issues.

Some took to socialmedia toreportthat voting went swimmingly.

"No line in Toronto Centre," tweeted Timothy Allen Carter on #PollWatch."Voted at St. Lawrence Community Centre. Even though I had to register was in and out in under 10 min."

Hale, from Elections Canada, said that whenadvance polls are held before long weekends, andwith many people off and who have the time,it's not uncommon to have a high turnout and longer waits.

As well,because it's an advancepoll, people have one more form to sign. A record of advancevotes must be maintained, so a form has to be printed, signed by the voterand filled out by staff, which adds to the voting time. But this process at advance pollingis not new.

Hale alsosaidthere are many more ways for people to provide ID when they vote, but the delays, in part, mayjust be the result of more people voting in this election.

Butnot everyone was placated with those explanations.

"They shouldhave staffed it a personnel level that reflected their understanding there would be a lot of people coming," Glasgow said.

How and when to vote

Advance pollsrun through the Thanksgiving long weekend. Here are all the options to cast a ballot:

Atadvance polls:Fri. Oct. 9;Saturday, Oct. 10; Sunday, Oct. 11; and Monday, Oct. 12, at youradvance polling location.

At Elections Canada offices:Byspecial ballotuntil Tuesday, Oct. 13, atmore than 400 locationsacross Canada

By mail:Until Tuesday, Oct. 13, you can apply tovote by mail.

Thenon election day, Oct. 19:At your polling station with appropriate identification.If you are registered, you should have received avoter information cardin the mail telling you where to vote. You should have received it by Oct.1. You can also use the onlineVoter Information Serviceto find out where to vote.

No matter how you vote, Elections Canada requiresproper identification,aside from your voter information card, including one piece that shows your current address.

Errors on the voters list? Problems at apolling station?CBC Newswants to hear from you. Use thehashtag#PollWatchto share your experiences on Twitter.