Polling sites in the Tri-Cities were busy Monday morning as voters braved the rain to cast their ballot in the federal election.
In Port Moody-Coquitlam, residents flocked to the polls at the Port Moody recreation complex, with many telling The Tri-City News that it was important for them to participate in the democratic process.
“It’s a privilege,” said Sharon McRae.
Another voter made a similar comment: “It’s great to live in a country that will allow you to vote,” said Carol Girdler.
Not all voters were happy, though. One man who spoke to The Tri-City News said he was upset he was turned away because the rec centre wasn’t his designated polling station. The disgruntled voter said he had all the appropriate ID and wasn’t sure he would be able to get to his proper poll to vote before they closed at 7 p.m.
Other voters were pleased to participate in the process and said the rain wasn’t a problem. A few even offered predictions, with one woman suggesting the Liberals might be able to pull off a win, while another voter said she “held her nose” and voted this time, suggesting she wasn’t thrilled with the candidates or parties available to her.
In Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, Mara Zaurrini said she was not going to let the weather keep her from carrying out her civic duty.
"It makes a difference," she said after casting her ballot at Coquitlam's Evergreen Cultural Centre Monday morning.
But Zaurrini, who has lived in the City Centre area for the last three years, said she could not predict the outcome of tonight's vote.
"I cannot tell you," she said. "It is very confusing."
Carlos Melhado, who was about to start his shift as an Elections Canada volunteer at the polling site at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 133 in Port Coquitlam, said a steady number of people had been coming through the door all morning. While it was his first time volunteering on election day, he said he expected it to get busier as the day went on.
Melhado, who is from El Salvador but has lived in the Tri-Cities for more than 20 years, said it is important for people to participate in the democratic process.
"We have to be firm in our belief in democracy," he said. "It is so important, otherwise society is a mess… A lot of countries don't have this freedom."
