Edmonton advance polls busy on Friday
Turnout was steady as advance polls for the federal election opened Friday.
In the advance poll in Edmonton-Mill Woods, where a battle is underway between Conservative Tim Uppal and Liberal Amarjeet Sohi, the parking lot at the Ridgewood Community Hall was jam-packed with vehicles.
Harpreet Ubhi said she voted "for change" because she was frustrated with how long her mother has had to wait for back surgery
"I feel great," she said. "I did my part, and we'll go from there."
Deborah Hoekstra and her 90-year-old father John Hoekstra voted Liberal.
"I'm voting in the advance poll because I am going to be out of the country," Hoekstra said. "And he's like, 'it's open. Let's go.' "
Shirley Filipek voted Conservative. She really liked her former MP Mike Lake, who was now running in Edmonton-Wetaskiwin because of the boundary redistribution. But she was conflicted this time around.
"It was hard for me this year to decide who I was going to vote for," Filipek said. "It was more a strategic vote. I'm hoping for a minority government."
In some locations across Edmonton, people were waiting an hour to cast their ballot.
Michael Ayers with Elections Canada said he was glad turnout was steady but he doesn't feel the high engagement means anything, at least not yet.
"If it continues into ordinary polls, wow. That'll be great," he said.
Advance polls are open all weekend. The general election is Oct. 19.
