Last day for advance polls with Londoners contributing to a record-breaking weekend

Londoners were among the record-breaking number of Canadians who cast their ballots at advance polls over the weekend with Monday marking the last day to vote early at a polling station.

A record-breaking two million Canadians voted during Friday's first day of advance polls, according to a social media post by Elections Canada. Electors reported long lines and waits of up to two hours in some parts of the country, including in London where lineups were more than an hour.

By Sunday, most London polling stations were quieter with no lines, but still had a steady stream of people going in-and-out. 

Several London voters said concerns about the U.S. and its leadership, combined with free time over the Easter weekend holiday, prompted them to vote early. 

"It's just a weekend off for us, but it's also that a lot of the political issues in Canada right now are really important," said Calista Coleman, who hit the polls at Museum London on Sunday. She said it was her first time voting early.

"Politically, a lot is going on in the States. It's really important that our vote is heard this year," she said.

Other voters agreed that extra time off on the weekend and the sunshine made voting easier. 

"We're strong advocates that the vote should take place on the weekend," said Tyler Pettipas, who voted early with his wife Sunday morning. 

He said he was going into the polling station thinking about how Canada is responding to threats from the U.S. and the war in Ukraine.

"It's about having a strong leader," Pettipas said. "It doesn't mean they have to be brash or anything, but commit to what they want to do, say what they're going to do and push through it."

Election Day is a week Monday, on April 28. It's still possible to vote at an Elections Canada office before Tuesday at 6 p.m., or by mail before end-of-day on Tuesday. To find information about where to vote and what to bring is detailed on the Elections Canada website.

James Cornish, a Londoner out Sunday to vote, said he hopes the number of voters over the weekend is a sign that more people will vote this year.

"I think it probably has to do a lot with the development south of the border, and also a lot of trouble with the cost of living currently," said James Cornish, who says he usually votes in advance polls. 

Other voters said key election issues include workers rights, affordability and the environment.

"I feel like over the past few years, there hasn't been a lot happening for younger people so I just want someone who listens to us and protects our planet," said Coleman.

She says she hopes fellow young voters were among those who voted early over the weekend.

"I heard a lot about the provincial [election] and how people didn't vote," she said. "I hope that they're seeing the effects of it and now know, 'I have to do this and I have to do it early.'"

At South London Community Centre on Sunday, 24-year-old Eric Gireada also said he hopes his generation hits the polls on election day, if they haven't already.

"In my circles and the people I'm around, we all strongly advocate for it because if you don't come to vote, it's kind of a weird thing," he said. "You have a voice, you're given the opportunity to have freedom and to make a change, and to not use that…it's kind of a waste."