More than 9,000 people cast advance ballots in the newly created Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon riding, according to Elections Canada.
Voters had four days to cast early ballots between Oct. 9 and 12. According to information released Wednesday, a total of 9,007 people cast ballots in Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon. In the 2011 election, 6,247 voters cast early ballots in what was then Pitt-Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission electoral district.
The increased numbers reflects a nationwide trend, with 71 per cent more ballots cast across Canada this year.
On Monday, those who haven’t already voted will head to the polls to pick a Member of Parliament to represent them.
The riding encompasses the entirety of Mission, along with a portion of Abbotsford, most of the Fraser Valley to the east of Mission and north of the Fraser River, and the Fraser Canyon north to Lillooet. Mission was previously part of the Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission riding.
Six candidates are running: Dennis Adamson of the NDP, Arthur Green of the Green Party, Jati Sidhu of the Liberals, Brad Vis of the Conservatives, Elaine Wismer of the Marxist-Leninist Party and independent Wyatt Scott.
Many people will have received voting cards in the mail directing them to their designated polling place. The cards aren’t required, however, and voters can register at a polling place, either with a driver’s licence or other government-issued card with a name, photo and address, or with two pieces of identification, one of which must show an address.
Poll stations will be open between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
For more information, or to find your designated polling place, visit elections.ca.
