Nanaimo-Ladysmith saw a 56 per cent increase in advanced polling over 2015 numbers. (Supplied Images/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

SURGING NUMBERS

Nanaimo-Ladysmith advance voting numbers nearly double national rate

Oct 21, 2019 | 2:43 AM

NANAIMO — The number of advanced votes cast in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith riding surged for the 2019 Federal Election.

Preliminary estimates from Elections Canada showed just shy of 25,000 votes were cast in the riding over the Thanksgiving long weekend from Oct. 11 and Oct. 14. It’s an increase of 56.6 per cent from the 2015 election.

Courtenay-Alberni did not follow the national trend. Elections Canada said 15,634 ballots were counted, down from 16,072 in 2015.

Across the country, 4.7 million people cast their ballot in advance voting. This is a 29 per cent increase compared to 2015, which was a 10 per cent increase from the 2011 election.

VIU Political Studies professor Dr. Alex Netherton told NanaimoNewsNOW this year’s advanced polls were a perfect storm.

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“I think a holiday weekend, an occasion where people get together and talk politics and that’s what is on everybody’s mind. It all came together with advanced polling on a holiday weekend. I can’t think of a better combination.”

He said advanced polling doesn’t historically favour one party over another. Advanced vote ratios were not overly different from election day ballots in 2015.

“The people who will vote beforehand are those people who have already made up their minds. They have an idea of who they want to vote for, advanced polling provides the occasion for them to make their final decision.”

An increase in advanced poll opportunities has helped the rebound of overall voter turnout.

The 2011 Federal Election saw the third worst voter turnout in history with 61.1 per cent, however the number rebounded to 68.5 per cent in 2015.

This year, Elections Canada expanded advanced voting to a full 12 hours a day from Friday, Oct. 11 to Monday, Oct. 14.

Netherton said the sheer volume of early voters is changing the way campaigns are being run.

“They’re going to do the early vote because it suits their lifestyle and they’ve made up their mind. It puts the pressure on the political parties to get their major dynamics of their campaign going before this voting begins.”

Election day is Monday Oct. 21. Polls opened at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m.

For full election coverage, visit NanaimoNewsNOW‘s Election 2019 page.

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