Advance voting expected to be higher than in 2013

Saturday is the last day for voters in Nova Scotia to cast their ballots earlyand it appears advance voting is up in this provincial election campaign over 2013.

"In 2013, we had 100,698 votes cast by the end of advance voting.In terms of where we are today, it's 92,000 as of [Friday] night so it is quite likely we are going to be over that,"said AndyLeBlanc,policy and communications director for Elections Nova Scotia.

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Typically, three quarters of all votes are cast on election day so the early numbers signal a strong overall turnout, he said.

"Certainly most of the votes will likely come in, and generally always have come in, on election dayso that's the daywe'll really know whether we're up on turnout or not."

Easier for early-bird voters

Early voting has gone very smoothly,LeBlancsaid.

Compared to advancepolling in past elections, it was alot easier for voters this time around, he said.Theywere allowed to vote early at any polling station at any location across the province.

Advancepolls closeat 6 p.m. Saturday.

Final voting will beTuesday May 30, election day, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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