Canada's 45th General Election is witnessing a remarkable surge in advance voting participation. Over 7.3 million electors cast their ballots in advance polls, a 26% increase compared to the last general election in 2021.
This record turnout signals a growing trend of Canadians opting to vote early, a shift steadily building over the past few decades. The surge in advance voting reflects increased voter engagement and a desire for greater convenience in the election process.
The numbers are particularly striking compared to past elections. In 1988, just 507,487 Canadians voted early, but this number has grown exponentially. The 2021 federal election saw approximately 5.8 million advance votes cast, but the 2025 figure of 7.3 million represents a significant leap, a 1.5 million increase, or 26% more voters participating ahead of Election Day.
In 2015, the first year that the current Liberal government came into power, the number of advance votes jumped dramatically by 74% from 2011, further underscoring the trend of increasing early voter engagement. Similarly, in the 2019 federal election, more than 4.8 million Canadians voted in advance polls, and a steady increase followed this in 2021.
The 2025 statistics highlight how Canadians continue to embrace the flexibility that advanced polling provides, allowing them to cast their votes ahead of time without worrying about potential conflicts on election day.
Provincial and electoral district-specific data regarding advance polling turnout will be available later this week, and a more detailed analysis is expected once that information is released. As always, Elections Canada aims to ensure that all eligible voters can participate in the democratic process, and early voting is one way to make the process more accessible.
The 26% increase in advance poll participation, combined with the overall rising trend in early voting, is an encouraging sign for the health of Canada's democracy. It reflects the growing importance of making the election process more accessible and responsive to voters' needs.
Election officials still anticipate high voter turnout on Election Day, but these early results indicate the heightened enthusiasm among Canadians this election cycle.
Stay tuned for further updates on regional advance poll data as it becomes available later this week.
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