More than 2,200 voters cast ballots on Windsor’s first day of advance voting Friday, exceeding the opening-day total from the 2022 municipal election.
City clerk Steve Vlachodimos told CTV News that 2,264 votes were cast at the WFCU Centre on Oct. 9, including both indoor and drive-through voting.
That compares with 1,988 votes on the first advance-voting day in 2022 — an increase of 276 votes, or nearly 14 per cent.
Vlachodimos described Friday’s total as a modern-day record for a single day of advance voting. Approximately 500 more ballots were cast during the first two hours of voting Saturday.
“The weather’s been great, and the feedback from the public has been positive thus far,” he said.
However, Vlachodimos cautioned that circumstances have changed since the previous municipal election.
“It’s hard to compare with 2022. We were just getting out of COVID at the time,” he said.
He noted that drive-through voting is being offered at the beginning of this year’s advance-voting period, whereas it was available toward the end of the period in 2022.
Vlachodimos said the city reviews its voting arrangements after each election, with positive public feedback helping inform future decisions. He also hopes allowing residents to vote at any polling location within their ward on election day will make participating more convenient.
Asked whether the opening-day numbers could signal an improvement in Windsor’s overall turnout, he urged caution.
“It’s always hard to predict what’s going to happen in terms of voter turnout,” he said. “But I have faith and trust in the voters in terms of what they choose to do.”
Voters have five remaining opportunities to cast an advance ballot:
- Saturday, Oct. 10: WFCU Centre, 8787 McHugh St., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Indoor voting is available in the gym, with drive-through voting in the reception hall parking lot.
- Wednesday, Oct. 14: Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex sports gym, 2555 Pulford St., from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 15: All Saints’ Anglican Church, 330 City Hall Square West, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 17: Drive-through voting at Mic Mac Park, 1125 Prince Rd., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with entry from Matchette Road.
- Monday, Oct. 19: Most Precious Blood Parish, 1947 Meldrum Rd., from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Election day is Monday, Oct. 26, with polls open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eligible voters can choose any election-day polling location within their ward.
Voters must bring acceptable identification to verify their identity and qualifying address. A voter notification card is not required.
Eligible voters can ride Transit Windsor for free when travelling to vote on an advance-voting day or election day.
More information is available at WindsorElections.ca.