'We all need to vote': Advance polls open in London, Ont.
It was seen as an encouraging sign, with lines formed as advance polls opened Thursday for the first of ten days.
About 30 people were standing in line to get into the advance polling station at 970 Oxford Street West in the riding London West, just minutes after it opened.
Janice Paine arrived shortly after the 10 a.m. opening time.
"A line-up of maybe 20 people outside and a number had gone in already,” she told CTV News.
When asked if she was surprised by that, Paine gave an emphatic, “Yes!”
Despite the wait, Paine said she's heartened by the fact so many people turned out.
"That's very impressive,” she said. “Yeah, we all need to vote."
There were other reasons for the line-up.
Only ten people were allowed in at a time. In additional to that, masks were required which forced some to make a quick retreat to their car for their face covering. Most seemed unfazed by process.
Pamela Root sees it as a testament to the value people put in elections.
“It just shows people really care about who's going run our province of Ontario,” she said.
Of the four ridings that fall – in whole or in part – within the City of London boundary, three went to NDP candidates in 2018; Peggy Satler in London West, Terrence Kernaghan in London North Centre and Teresa Armstrong in London Fanshawe.
The incumbent Progressive Conservative Candidate Jeff Yurek took Elgin-Middlesex-London as part of the Doug Ford sweep to power.
There will at least one new MPP for London after the votes are counted, with Yurek resigning just prior to the election.
Alistair Paine first cast a ballot in the federal election of 1968.
He says he’s voted in every federal and provincial election since. He says no matter who is in power, or who is favoured, it’s important to participate.
“Every vote counts because, even if you vote for somebody who doesn't get in, all the parties are looking at why that person voted for 'that' and they're trying to align it so they get a better chance of providing service to you,” Paine explained.
The advance polls are open until Saturday, May 28 with Election Day on Thursday, June 2.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.