A political scientist at the University of the Fraser Valley says more people voting in advanced polls this election will not likely translate into a higher turnout on election day.
Hamish Telford says it's almost like there is a finite number of people who cast ballots in each election, about 50 per cent of eligible voters, and it's just a question of how many use the advanced polls and how many wait until general voting.
“We have seen over the last couple of elections in Canada increased turnout in advanced polls, but not increased turnout in the overall turnout. Political parties are taking advantage of the opportunity to get people to vote early and that's why we are seeing more people go.”
Telford says while there are no hard and fast rules, higher voter turnout usually favours the challenging party, and not the incumbent.
The turnout advanced polls for this election were up 25 per cent since 2009.