London voters cast ballots saying they're motivated by different factors

Election day has finally arrived after a busy month-long campaign, and London voters wasted no time getting to the polls on Monday to cast their ballots.

Polling stations across the city opened at 9:30 a.m. and will stay open until 9:30 p.m. Those still waiting in line when polls close will still be able to vote, Elections Canada says.

Some Londoners voting at Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre said they were doing so to exercise their democratic right — and had no issues or delays casting a ballot. 

Cat Olcsvary said not voting would mean giving up the "right to complain about things," but said she felt the month-long campaign was "kind of a crapshow."

"There was a lot going on, and everybody's kind of arguing with each other. We do need better for Canada ... I'm tired of the back and forth," said Olcsvary, who voted Liberal.

"I just hope to see some change in a positive direction," said voter Kelsey Blais, who cast her ballot for the NDP.

"I hope to see less conflict all over, and I hope to see a prime minister that is focused on our country's benefit."

For Brad Fishleigh, who voted Conservative, a shortened campaign "might give an upper hand to one party over the other," he said.

"I'm 35, and I'm self-employed, and I think it's important to try to represent your demographic and try to make a change."

One voter, Nathan Stock, said he is casting a strategic ballot, in this case voting Liberal.

"Dirka [Prout] is my riding, and normally I vote for her, but the strategic vote was more important this time," he said, referring to the NDP's candidate in London Centre.

Some voters said this election was much too important to skip out on.

"I think this is probably one of the most important elections we've had in a long time with what's going on down south and just on the world stage and the future of Canada," said Hali Blake, who voted with her husband, Jordan. Both cast a ballot for the Liberals, though Jordan noted he's normally an NDP supporter.

"Canada will win either way. We're a great country. We don't subscribe to the things down south. I think we'll be winning either way. There's lots of great, great, great political leaders out there right now," he said.

At North London Optimist Community Centre, first-time voter Alex Hale, a Fanshawe College student, believed it was important to vote given "the weight of what's happening in the world," in particular with the U.S.

"Tensions are high. Things are becoming worse, and I know that I would like to have a say in who gets to fight for me in this current situation," said Hale, who cast a vote for the Conservative candidate.

It's important that young people get out and vote in this election and make their voices heard, said another Fanshawe College student, Genevieve Savile, who voted Liberal. 

"I'm not really fond of the situation going on in the states right now, so making sure that our voices are heard up in Canada," Savile said. "Making sure that we are defending our country, our sovereignty, and most importantly, our rights — women's rights, LGBTQ rights."

Record-breaking numbers during advance polls

A number of Londoners CBC News spoke with Monday said they had already voted in advance polls, and were taking part in other activities offered at the polling station location.

Elections Canada estimates 122,234 electors cast ballots between April 18 and 21 in the ridings of Middlesex—London, Elgin—St. Thomas—London South, London West, London Centre and London-Fanshawe.

They are among the record-breaking 7.3 million Canadians who voted during advance polls. In London's three urban ridings alone, Elections Canada estimates 68,554 votes were cast in advanced polls last weekend.

More than 26,000 people have also voted using special ballot voting kits, which are issued to electors, both in Canada and abroad, when an elector votes by mail, or when they vote in person at a local Elections Canada office.