Canadians turned out in droves for advance voting in the 2025 federal election, with a record-breaking 7.3 million ballots cast over the four-day early voting period.
Advance polls were open from Friday, April 18th to Monday, April 21st, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.
Elections Canada says that preliminary figures show a 25% jump from the 5.8 million early votes cast in the 2021 election. That election was held during the pandemic, when many voters opted for mail-in ballots.
See also: Here’s what you need to know about all parties’ platforms ahead of the federal election
This year, more than two million Canadians showed up on the very first day of advance voting alone.
Long lines were reported at many polling stations across the country, including here on Vancouver Island. Some voters expressed frustration on social media over wait times that stretched over an hour, while others welcomed the busy turnout as a sign of healthy civic engagement.
According to Elections Canada, final numbers are still being tallied, and a full breakdown by riding will be available soon at elections.ca.
The agency, which is independent and non-partisan, says this figure is still an estimate, as not all polls have reported.
Political experts say early voting numbers like these don’t necessarily predict the outcome, but they do show enthusiasm—and in some cases, strong efforts to mobilize certain demographics.
The main voting day is scheduled for Monday, April 28th, with polls opening and closing at different times depending on your region.
Latest national polling suggests the Liberals are holding a five-point lead over the Conservatives as the final stretch of campaigning kicks into gear.
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