Elections Canada says over 3.6 million people cast their ballots over the weekend, resulting in a 71 per cent increase in turnout from 2011.
But in the process, many endured long wait times for a chance to have their say.
“From the time I got there to the time I left, it was about two and a half hours,” said voter Janice Fuller.
Voter Gerry Chiasson tried two different times with no success.
“I just kept looking and looking to see the end of the lineup and I told the wife, there's no way we're staying here,” he said.
Francoise Enguehard of Elections Canada says voters shouldn’t have the same problem on Monday.
“We had prepared for large numbers, but they exceeded our expectations,” she said.
Enguehard says the advance polling process is not as easy as the method on election day. She says an advance poll clerk must write down your name and address, then the voter has to sign a sheet to ensure they cannot vote again.
“The act is rather strict. You can only have one ballot box – you can't just add a desk,” said Enguehard.
Enguehard says a fast lane will be added on election day for people who bring their voter information card, know the number of their poll, and have their ID in hand.
But the high numbers in the slow lane haven’t gone unnoticed.
“When you see a lot of people getting engaged at this stage of the election, it would tend to suggest a lot of interest and it's usually not good for the sitting government,” said David Stuewe of Business and Government Relations.
Fuller says the longer process over the weekend was worth the wait.
“I just feel like voting is a privilege and a great opportunity for us,” she said.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kayla Hounsell.
