Canada election 2021: Voting line stretches '3 city blocks,' to side of Ontario highway off-ramp as polls close in Vaughan

Canadians around the country — especially in Ontario — were met with longer than usual lines as they tried to cast their ballots for the 2021 Canada Federal Election.

It was the result of having a snap election amid a pandemic, where physical distancing and other restrictions were enforced to help stop the spread of COVID-19 during the fourth wave. Because of the last-minute nature of the election, many ridings weren't able to create their usual amount of polling stations.

Vaughan residents are now lining up on the side of the highway off-ramp…. Police say the line to cast a ballot spans about 3 city blocks #ELXN21 @CityNews pic.twitter.com/KJ2DVPwaX4

— Shaunacitynews (@shaunacitynews) September 21, 2021

MASSIVE LINE at this polling location in Vaughan. Voters I’ve spoken to say they’ve waited more than an hour, some actually left without voting out of pure frustration and anger. @CP24 pic.twitter.com/runOBpq125

— Marc Liverman (@MarcLiverman) September 21, 2021

Even after polls closed around the country, lines continued to stretch blocks — and even made their way to the side of a highway off-ramp in Vaughan, Ont. Luckily for those in line, as long as they were there by the 9:30 p.m. cutoff, their votes will be counted toward their ridings and ultimately the federal race.

It's unknown when everyone in line will be able to cast their ballot, but some are reported to even have to wait until Sept. 21 in Kingston, Ont.

People at one polling station in Kingston now being told it'll be 1 a.m. before they can vote. #Elxn44 #elxn44vote @cityofkingston

— Steve Paikin (@spaikin) September 21, 2021

This is the voting line at Trio SportsPlex in Woodbridge. Ontario's polls closed at 9:30 p.m., but people in line are still waiting to vote.

Follow more #LIVE updates and analysis here as polls continue to close across Canada: https://t.co/9ImGpCiDbf pic.twitter.com/NSftIZlhup

— Toronto Star (@TorontoStar) September 21, 2021

Sounds like we have some serious line ups at voting stations. Looks like this election might favor the party who's voters are the most committed to voting. 🤔

— James M (@jmclennan8) September 20, 2021

The long lines were a theme all throughout Sept. 20, in Toronto and surrounding Ontario areas, as lines stretched blocks as soon as polling stations opened at 9:30 a.m.

This was my line in Spadina—Fort York this afternoon #elxn44vote pic.twitter.com/2JFH3Gj7Xm

— Kelsey Wilson (@kelseyleewilson) September 20, 2021

Polls opened just two minutes ago and lines are already stretching down the street at a polling station in Spadina—Fort York. The riding has just 15 polling places this election. pic.twitter.com/V4bSI3wmsh

— Jenna Moon (@_jennamoon) September 20, 2021

Lining up literally around the block to vote in Toronto St. Paul’s. #Elxn44 pic.twitter.com/ZPapR6XqtM

— Richard Southern (@richard680news) September 20, 2021

The CBC News Drone Team captured long lines outside polling stations across Toronto for Monday’s federal election. In some ridings, voting is taking longer due to COVID-19 precautions, logistical errors in voter ID cards and lists and a greatly reduced number of polling stations. pic.twitter.com/bU3XQmFgCd

— CBC Toronto (@CBCToronto) September 20, 2021

CBC News reporting that voters in Fort York-Spadina face 2 to 3 hour wait to cast ballots, due to labor shortages at Elections Canada and pandemic precautions.

— Paul Vieira (@paulvieira) September 21, 2021