Election day live: Voter card mix-ups, blackouts, no-shows at polls
5:00 p.m. ET
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May voted in Sidney, B.C. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh voted in the advanced polls, but he came out to thank all of the volunteers on election day.
NDP leader @theJagmeetSingh cast his ballot in advance polls so he went to visit the volunteers who are getting the vote out. #cdnpoli #CanadaVotes #elxn43 pic.twitter.com/93AjRx5d5K
— Hannah Thibedeau (@HannahThibedeau) October 21, 2019
I want to talk to you about why today is so important 🧡 Je voulais vous parler de l'importance de cette journée. https://t.co/l2z8aNFUQF #elxn43 #ElectionDay #InItForYou https://t.co/QOz5AHJfei
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) October 21, 2019
3:45 p.m. ET
What was your experience at the polls today? With so many issues reported we want to know what it was like casting a ballot in your local riding. Vote in the poll below, and let us know if you have any ideas on how Elections Canada can improve the voting experience in the comments.
2:45 p.m. ET
Accessibility issues
Voters have discovered that some polling stations aren’t as accessible as they had hoped. Elections Canada states that they most voting locations are accessible and “wherever possible” choose locations that are wheelchair accessible.
This is the entrance to my supposedly accessible #elxn43 polling station. #AccessFail #CripTheVote
Lest you think I was the only mobility-disabled person who showed up, that is somebody *else's* chair who had to use the stairs instead of a ramp. @ElectionsCan_E
(1/) pic.twitter.com/eLi22VvYre— Elizabeth Patitsas 🌈🥄🦓♿️ (@patitsel) October 21, 2019
After I complained they put a poll worker outside the ramp entrance to tell visibly* disabled people that they can use the ramp entrance. But when as I walked by I saw him direct a guy using crutches to go around and use the main (stairs) entrance 🙄.
(* itself a huge problem)— Elizabeth Patitsas 🌈🥄🦓♿️ (@patitsel) October 21, 2019
Anyone who has a an issue at a polling station today can submit a formal complaint to Elections Canada through their website.
1:45 p.m. ET
A glitch in Montreal and issues with voting cards
Elections Canada has confirmed to CTV News that a technical glitch in the system resulted in several polling station in Montreal opening later than the scheduled time, around 30 minutes later.
Elections Canada tells @billyshields that a glitch in the system caused some polling stations in Montreal to open late, causing frustration among some voters. #cdnpoli #elxn43
Read more about election day here: https://t.co/BAdFlEDo67 pic.twitter.com/sX8M1lxYlj— CTV News (@CTVNews) October 21, 2019
Some Canadians have reported a variety of issues with voting cards, ranging from the wrong name being printed on the document to one person receiving two cards, with different voting information.
Hey @ElectionsCan_E - I changed my name legally in 2011 and have filed my income taxes in this name every year since. Why do I still receive my voter card in my old name? This systematic #deadnaming discourages trans/NB voters from turning up at the polls! #cdnpoli #elxn43 pic.twitter.com/KIiKR2yFHO
— Kinnon Ross MacKinnon (@Kinnon_Ross) October 21, 2019
Very frustrating to vote this AM. Two polling cards - one appeared closed at 7:35am, the other stating, the other is correct station. Why was I sent two cards? Why poll station so far from where I live?@ElectionsCan_E @cbcnewsbc @liberal_party @CPC_HQ @NDP pic.twitter.com/xKwatEX29C
— Doug Rogers (@DougVancouver) October 21, 2019
11:45 a.m. ET
Problems at polls across Ontario
Some residents in the Ottawa West Nepean riding have shared that there is no returning officer at the polling station, which means people were unable to vote and told they had to return back at a later time.
At the polling location at Woodroffe They say the chief returning officer for Poll 60 didn’t show up. They’re turning people away, as kind them to return later. To give you an indication of how many people that is, another polling station here has about 300 names. #ottnews
— Kimberley Molina (@KimberleyMolina) October 21, 2019
Today my right to vote was taken because @ElectionsCan_E failed to have backup for a no-show officer. I showed up 3 times and now have a flight to catch. Shame on you!@CBCOttawa @liberal_party pic.twitter.com/J4wak71Hki
— Giulia Doyle (@GiuliaDoyle) October 21, 2019
Apparently polls in Ottawa West Nepean are not all open due to @ElectionsCan_E employee no shows. #wth?? #elxn43 #cdnpoli
— 🇨🇦 GeorganneB 🇺🇸 (@georganneb) October 21, 2019
@ElectionsCan_E : No #DRO at Poll 60, Woodroffe High School, #OttawaWestNepean. Please advise on ETA for #DRO, so that we can vote. Thank you.
— Dawn Severenuk (@DawnSev) October 21, 2019
Election Canada responded to one Canadian on Twitter, saying they have “alerted the appropriate team” about the issue.
Voting by lantern light? In 2019?
A power outage forced a polling station in Toronto to get crafty, and quick! https://t.co/yLz08hiJNg
📷 (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/bMLYDkvuts— Yahoo Canada News (@YahooCanadaNews) October 21, 2019
People in Toronto have also experienced a power outage in the Danforth riding at the Bruce Public School polling station, with Elections Canada staff having to use flashlights proceed with the voting process. According to a Global News reporter, the power has been restored.
A power outage in Toronto-Danforth means voters at a polling station near Queen/Jones are casting ballots in the dark. Elections Canada staff are using flashlights to check names on the voters list. Process still moving smoothly. #CanadaElection2019 pic.twitter.com/9VWmodcvkU
— Kevin Misener (@Misener680NEWS) October 21, 2019
Power is back on at the polling station at Bruce Public School in The Beaches. Voters who cast their ballot during the blackout said they were thankful for the low-tech, pencil-and-paper ballots. #elxn43 @globalnewsto pic.twitter.com/R8sBCMHud3
— Albert Delitala (@AlbertGlobal) October 21, 2019
10:45 a.m. ET
Some polling stations in #Manitoba may have reduced hours of operation due to power outages. Check https://t.co/w5E689myQi for updates. #MBstorm
— Elections Canada (@ElectionsCan_E) October 21, 2019
Elections Canada has advised the public that some polling stations in Manitoba may have reduced voting hours due to power outages following last week’s snowstorm.
Manitoba Hydro crews are still working to restore power. As of Sunday, approximately 2,000 were still in the dark after the storm that destroyed 100 transmission structures and downed about 800 kilometres of power lines in the province.
10:15 a.m. ET
Justin Trudeau arrived at the poll in his Papineau, Que., riding with his wife and children to cast his vote.
He followed Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet who voted with his wife in Shawinigan Que.
People’s Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier also voted in Saint-Georges, Que.
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Canadians are heading to the polls today to vote for the party they most want to lead the country.
Polls are open for 12 hours, closing at 9:30 p.m. ET and 8:30 p.m. Central, Atlantic and Newfoundland Time. They close at 7:30 p.m. MT and 7:00 p.m. PT. Canadians can check their voting location by entering their postal code on the Elections Canada website.
The NDP asked Elections Canada to make a special accommodation for thousands of people in First Nation communities who had to be evacuated after a snowstorm hit the province, causing many to relocate to hotels in Winnipeg. Elections Canada is able to adjust voting procedures in the event of a state of emergency.
Reminder: If you have been evacuated to Winnipeg because of the recent #MBstorm, you can still exercise your right to vote today! Elections Canada has set up a “mega-polling station” at the University of Winnipeg. Shuttle bus transportation is available. #AMCMBChiefs #elxn43 pic.twitter.com/IXvkgbXh5J
— AMC (@AMCMBChiefs) October 21, 2019
Elections Canada said it has worked with the Red Cross to ensure that these individuals can vote at the University of Winnipeg until 8:30 p.m. local time.
Where each party stands
Throughout much of the federal election campaign, Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party and Andrew Scheer’s Conservatives have been neck-and-neck in support across Canada, with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh seeing an increase in support.
The latest polls, up to the eve of election day, still put the Liberals and Conservatives at a deadlock, prompting most to assume that a minority government result is in Canada’s future.
This is it, Canada. Election Day. The future of our country is up to you. 4 years ago, you chose real change and a better, more positive vision for Canada that we all shared. Today I’m asking you to keep that vision for Canada in mind. #ChooseForward
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 21, 2019
Trudeau has already sent out a series of tweets urging Canadians to vote, while highlighting what his party has accomplished in the last four years in power.
We’ve accomplished a lot together these past 4 years - with more jobs, more money for families, a real plan to fight climate change - but there’s a whole lot left to do. #ChooseForward
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 21, 2019
I’m counting on your vote in order for us to keep moving forward and get it done. But it’s not just you and me. Today your kids, your colleagues, your parents, your neighbours - they’re all counting on you to vote. #ChooseForward
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 21, 2019
In a poll that ran for four months previous to the election, Yahoo Canada readers identified that their top issues throughout the election campaign have been taxes, immigration and climate change.
The Liberal Party has consistently highlighted support for the middle class as a core aspect to its platform, in addition to working towards net-zero carbon emission by 2050 to combat climate change and significant investment in health care.
The Conservative Party slogan is to help people “get ahead,” promising to leave more money in the pockets of Canadians. Scheer said that he would scrap the carbon tax if he becomes prime minister and will launch a judicial inquiry into Trudeau’s activity in the SNC-Lavalin scandal.
My friends, today is the day.
This is the moment we can choose to demand better, instead of settling for less.
So, let's dream big 😀 #elxn43 #initforyou— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) October 21, 2019
The NDP want to make life more affordable for Canadians, highlighting their promise for universal pharmacare and implementing a tax on the wealthiest Canadians.
The Green Party, led by Elizabeth May, also has a plan for universal pharmacare, with more comprehensive guidelines to fight climate change.
You can choose one of the morally and intellectually corrupt parties that spent the campaign buying votes and throwing mud at the others.
Or a party proposing sound policies based on freedom, responsibility, fairness and respect.
YOU HAVE A CHOICE— Maxime Bernier (@MaximeBernier) October 21, 2019
This is the first election for the People’s Party of Canada, with its leader Maxime Bernier. The party significantly differs in its view on climate change, saying it will completely withdraw from the Paris Accord, and promises to significantly reduce the number of immigrants that come into Canada each year. Canadians will see how much support the party has been able to achieve on Monday night.
Bernier also took to social media on Monday morning to make one last plea to get Canadians to vote for the People’s Party, while also thanking those who had worked on his campaign.