After the second day of advanced voting on Wednesday (October 11), the City of Airdrie reports they have seen a record turnout this year.

"We had 559 people come through, which gave us a total of 782 for our two advanced votes," said Returning Officer Sharon Pollyck.

City Hall was open from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Wednesday, and Pollyck said the advanced turnout was well attended from the time doors opened until voting closed.

Pollyck explained there was a sharp increase in the number of voters turning out to cast early ballots. This year's turnout was a 457 percent increase from the 177 that took part in the 2013 advanced vote, and a 261 percent increase over the 299 advanced voters in 2010, the previous record turnout. Pollyck pointed out that in 2013, there was no mayoral race, which may have contributed to the low turnout.

The City has also received 22 of the 41 mail-in ballots issued. Those ballots need to be completed and sent to the City by 4:30pm today.

This year's record turnout for advanced voting has the City optimistic that they will see a record turnout on October 16 for the municipal election.

"We are planning on what we've seen happen with the advanced votes be an indicator for Monday, but of course, we don't know if we're just pulling people from Monday's vote to earlier times," said Pollyck.

The City is bringing in more people to help with Monday's election.

 

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