This federal election is shaping to be the most exciting in a long time. While we won't predict which party might form the next government are Canada, we'll predict a few things are going to happen on Monday.
Bigger turnout
Numbers are up at the advanced polls with Elections Canada reporting 3.6 million Canadians voting, a 71 per cent increase over 2011. So what does that mean for Monday? We can't say for certain but we could see a bigger turnout on the day itself. See the Toronto elections last November.
Face coverings
Some of the advanced voters wore face coverings in protest of the recent niqab debate with one voter wearing a potato sack over their head. You can vote with a mask, dressed as Batman or even wear a horse's head to vote once you have two pieces of ID with one with a current address and are willing to take a oath attesting your eligibility to vote.
The Youth vote
The parties haven't really been talking to young Canadian voters but that lack of communication isn't stopping them from casting their votes (42,000 at last count). Statistics Canada released a study about the youth vote and found that in 2013, 47 per cent of youth between ages 15 to 19 and 61 per cent between ages 20 to 24 said that they were very likely to vote in the next federal election.
#voteselfie
There's been a lot of voter selfies during the advanced polls (see #voteselfie) so take one after you vote! Here's how:
- Vote (or do it before)
- Go outside and stand in front of the yellow arrow signs
- Pose (we recommend a thumbs up and a big smile. Group shots accepted)
- Take the selfie
- Post!
A quick note: Elections Canada has asked that selfies be taken outside the polling station.
Long lines
The advanced polls had long lines so the voting day might see long lines as well. Keep in mind that once you're inside the polling station, you can vote, even after the official closing time in your province.
Eastern Time: 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saskatchewan Time: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Mountain Time: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Pacific Time: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Newfoundland, Atlantic, Central Time: 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. except in Saskatchewan
