In the Alumni Lounge at Fanshawe College, a polling station was set up on Thursday as part of the leadup to London’s municipal elections for people to vote in advance, something that is important to many of the people who arrived.
The station was one of several that will open for advance voting between Oct. 1 and Saturday, Oct. 10, according to the city of London website. Another station was also open at a conference room in Western University on the same day, both offering a chance for Londoners to vote ahead of the election day on Oct. 26.
“A lot of people can’t make it on the day of the actual vote,” said professor emeritus of political science at the University of Toronto Nelson Wiseman. “Some people are out of town, some people are working. There are all kinds of reasons, and so advanced polling is made available as a convenience.”
Despite the convenience, turnout in the Alumni Lounge polling station’s early hours was slow but steady, with lengthy intervals between people coming to vote.
When asked, Wiseman said that advanced polls can help with turnout numbers in elections, which other experts have said is a recurring problem in municipal politics and that some voters have seen for themselves.
“Last year in my ward, it was a very low turnout, and I think across the city [as well],” said Ruth Kivilahti.
Even candidates in the elections said they believe advance voting is important for voter turnout.
“It’s a shame that the voter percentage is very low,” said Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) Wards 1, 11, 12 and 14 candidate Smita Tajne. “As a city, we should all make a conscious effort to come in together.”
Several voters offered what they felt were good options for increasing voter turnout at advance polling stations. Kivilahti, as well as TVDSB Wards 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 candidate Pat Mehta, said they want to see polling stations made more accessible with ride sharing programs and incentives.
“Many people doesn’t know that advance voting is already on,” said Mehta. “So the city has to do some publicity.”
A sticker handed out at the Alumni Lounge polling station to advance voters. Many who showed up believed it is important for people to vote early.
Photo by: Curtis Stokman
Fanshawe marketing student Zoe Chen believed candidates could advertise when advance polling stations are open.
“It’s always important to … market yourself and put yourself out there,” she said. “Not only as a candidate, but London should always get out there and get to know the people.”
For many voters who showed up to the station, voting in advance was also something they felt was important to do for a variety of reasons.
“Since I’m living in Canada, I was not aware of the power of the vote, and now I have understood,” said Romana Rustamani. “I don’t want to waste my vote, so that’s why I came early.”
For her part, Kivilahti said she showed up early because she believes the election will be very close and is worried about a split vote. Meanwhile, Addison Snook said voting early mattered to her because she wants to get out the youth vote.
“I feel like London needs a change,” said Snook emphatically. “And it’s always good to make sure all of us young people are getting our votes out there, because it’s always important and your voice matters.”
