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If Monday’s turnout at one advance poll in Charlottetown is any indication, interest seems to be high for the Nov. 5 municipal election.
There was a steady stream of people in and out of the Ward 5 and 6 poll at the Sherwood Recreation Hall during the afternoon and often people were lined up to the door.
One person simply said it was a gorgeous day to be outside so “might as well vote’’.
So far, interest seems to be greatest in Charlottetown, at least based on the early numbers.
Following three days of voting at the returning office, the first advance day of voting on the weekend and up to 5 p.m. on Monday, 14.83 per cent of all eligible registered voters in Charlottetown have already cast their ballot.
That’s followed closely in Summerside at 13.68 per cent, Cornwall at 12.66 per cent and Stratford at 11.75 per cent.
It’s important to remember that while elections are taking place in every municipality across the province, Elections P.E.I. is only managing those in Summerside, Charlottetown, Cornwall and Stratford.
The Department of Communities is handling the rest.
As for how many people have actually voted so far, not including Monday’s advance poll, Summerside leads the way with a total of 613 people having cast a ballot so far.
Charlottetown is next at 401 ballots, Stratford at 167 and Cornwall at 97.
Paul Alan, manager of election operations and communications for Elections P.E.I., said they’re quite pleased with how things have gone, so far.
“Things went very well, very smooth and the polls were steady all day (Saturday),’’ Alan said.
There’s only been one slight hiccup.
“We’re finding that some people aren’t getting their VIC (voter information cards) in the mail yet because of the rotating mail strike in Halifax. Some were delayed . . . but that’s been the only snafu. But it doesn’t mean you can’t vote. You just get a replacement VIC card when you go to the polls.’’
Elections P.E.I. has been posting percentages and voter turnout on its Twitter and Facebook pages.
“After the polls close (Monday night), I’ll have a new percentage up (of) voting so far, and then I’ll be doing that after the advance poll on Friday.’’
For the first time, Elections P.E.I. is introducing a campus vote at UPEI and Holland College in Charlottetown and Summerside. That takes place on Thursday.
Advance polls continue on Friday in Charlottetown at St. Peter’s Church Hall for Wards 1 and 2, Wards 3 and 4 at the Charlottetown Mall, Wards 5 and 6 at the Sherwood Recreation Hall, Wards 7 and 8 at the West Royalty Community Centre and Wards 9 and 10 at the Malcolm Darrach Civic Centre.
Advance polls continue for Wards 1-8 in Summerside on Friday at Credit Union Place, for Wards 1-3 in Stratford at the Stratford Town Centre and in Cornwall at the APM Centre.
All polls are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.