After the longest election campaign in modern history, Canadians finally went to the polls Monday. Voters had longer to think about how they would cast their ballots, but did the extra-long campaign make the decision any easier?

After 78 days of campaigning, many Maritimers were ready to head to the polls.

“I made my decision about six weeks after they said the election was going to be here,” says voter Daniel Price.

The factors that influence the decisions of voters are as diverse as the voters themselves. Some are thinking years into the future.

“I have children, grandchildren, and what's going to affect them is what I looked at. So that's what I based it on,” says Price.

For others, the concerns are more immediate.

“The child tax stuff was really the biggest thing for me. Just losing our child tax benefit, so whatever we can do to get some extra back is what I'm looking for,” says voter Dan Conrod.

Many voters say their choices are based on careful policy analysis.

“Party platforms,” says voter Tracey Galusha. “I've been following everyone pretty closely, and I'm pretty sure I made a good choice.”

Political scientist Jeff MacLeod says voting is a combination of reason and passion.

“My research shows that people are influenced, yeah sure, by policy content and that sort of thing, but more it's a felt response, an instinctive, very human thing,” says MacLeod.

MacLeod says this election boils down to a very simple choice.

“You have two choices: do you want change, or do you want the incumbent government to continue. If you're happy with the government you have an obvious choice where to go. If you want change you have a couple of choices.”

Recent polls suggest that 70 per cent of Canadians are looking for change. According to a Nanos survey released late Sunday, the Liberals appear to be the front-runners.

“You can look at individual policies or platforms but those aren't binding. Parties change as they govern and you would expect them to. So it's really a trust question,” says MacLeod.

Still, many voters say flashy campaign ads and emotional leaders’ debates don't factor in to their decision.

“I just decided to vote for who I always vote for,” says one voter.

Regardless of why, it seems many people feel strongly about voting this year. After a huge spike in turnout at the advance polls a week ago, lineups continued through the day Monday.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Sarah Ritchie