Proportional representation was weighing on the minds of some voters when they marked their early ballot this weekend.
It was one of the bigger issues for resident Trevor Forbes when he cast his vote on Saturday during the first of three advance polls being held at Eastlink Centre for the District 11 byelection.
Forbes said he felt last year’s plebiscite, which saw a majority of respondents choose a form of proportional representation, should have been honoured by the province.
“I think it’s important to come out and show there are some of us who view that as a big deal. We need to stand strong and show government it’s important to us,” said Forbes, who went to the polls with his wife Martha, three-year-old son Liam and nine-month-old daughter Ellie. “It’s important to vote and I think there is a lot that has come up in the past couple of years that has made this ballot an important one to show whether you support or don’t support what the government is doing.”
Forbes wasn’t the only one marking the ballot with electoral reform on his mind.
Amalia Campbell said it was also a big issue for her.
“It was just really, I guess, sad to find out we went through that process… and (proportional representation) is not even really seen as a potential thing,” said Campbell.
Hundreds of Islanders went through the advance poll for a number of reasons on Saturday.
Martha noted she went to the poll since she was going to be away on the day of the election.
“For people who, for one reason or another, can’t do it or aren’t going to be here on election day, it’s important they have their say,” she said.
For Erica Harris, voting in the advance poll was better due to a visual impairment.
“Its just easier for me because I can’t see very well. It’s less people, less hassle,” said Harris, who added that Elections P.E.I. staff on site were also helpful.
Allison MacDonald, polling station supervisor, said the day went smooth with the only complication being a computer that went down at the registration desk for about 10 minutes.
However, Elections P.E.I. was prepared, he said.
”We did have a backup on hand,” said MacDonald, adding that those who had their voter identification cards were for the most part in and out of the polling station in a couple minutes. “We really appreciate the fact that people did bring their voter identification cards”
Those who have not received a voter identification card in the mail should bring two pieces of ID with them to the advance polls.
Voters also agreed the advance poll ran smoothly.
Campbell, who went to the polls with her husband Jordan, said she came prepared with some bills to prove she had recently changed her address.
She also called ahead and brought her marriage certificate, just in case, since the two had been married early last month.
Despite changes to her address and the recent nuptials, Campbell said the process was smooth.
“It was pretty painless as long as you bring the right pieces of paper.”
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