Turnout rose and fell during the early hours of election day at the Wix-Brown Elementary school polling station in 91原创's Otter neighbourhood, an Elections Canada staffer worker said.
"It hasn't been that busy, but we expect it will pick up after 3 p.m."
To find where to vote on election day, check your or use the Elections Canada .
Interest in the election has been high, with tens of thousands of 91原创-area residents turning out during four days of advance voting in the three local ridings, according to Elections Canada data.
The largest early turnout was in 91原创 Township-Fraser Heights, which includes most of north 91原创, a portion of Surrey north of Highway One, and rural Barnston Island in the Fraser River. A total of 31,154 people voted.
Cloverdale-91原创 City, saw 23,965 people cast ballots.
Abbotsford-South 91原创, which includes rural parts of Abbotsford and 91原创, as well as population centres including Aldergrove, Brookswood, and much of downtown Abbotsford, recorded 21,975 ballots in the advance polls.
Nationally, initial estimates showed 7.3 million Canadians voted between April 18 and 21 over the Easter long weekend 鈥� a 25 per cent increase over the 5.8 million votes cast during the advance polling period in the 2021 election.
Remarks by the U.S. president about Canada becoming the "51st state" are seen to be a factor that has increased interest in the election.
On Monday, Canada's election day, Donald Trump renewed his call with an online post to Canadians to "Elect the man who has the strength and wisdom to cut your taxes in half, increase your military power, for free, to the highest level in the World, have your Car, Steel, Aluminum, Lumber, Energy, and all other businesses, QUADRUPLE in size, WITH ZERO TARIFFS OR TAXES, if Canada becomes the cherished 51st."
The post did not say who Trump was recommending.
"America can no longer subsidize Canada with the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year that we have been spending in the past," Trump added. "It makes no sense unless Canada is a State!"
B.C. polls close at 7 p.m.
Elections Canada said because voter turnout for the 45th general election may be higher than usual, they were adding workers "where and when possible and will start counting some ballots early."
"As always, Elections Canada's priority is to ensure that the integrity of the counting process is protected and that the count is accurate," a statement said.
The process is witnessed by scrutineers 鈥� usually candidates' representatives 鈥� who watch as election workers count the paper ballots.
