Polls across Manitoba closed at 8 p.m. CT Tuesday evening in the province's 39th general election.
Elections Manitoba officials said voter traffic was not brisk at polling stations across the province early on Tuesday — but they were not concerned.
Light traffic in the morning and early afternoon is typical for election day, said Elections Manitoba spokeswoman Mary Skanderbeg.
"What I am hearing right now is it is light," she told CBC News. "Of course, the heavy voting comes later in the day. We'll see what happens, but everything seems to be running smoothly right now."
Although polls open at 8 a.m., voter traffic is usually heaviest between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., Skanderbeg said.
More than 42,000 Manitobans have already voted in advance polls, an increase over the 18,000 who voted ahead of election day in 2003.
Skanderbeg credited changes in the Elections Act for the increase. Aimed at making it more convenient to vote, Elections Manitoba allowed voters to cast a ballot at any advance polling station — even those outside their own constituency — increased the number of voting locations, and added a day to the advance polling period.
"We were watching it grow all week," Skanderbeg said. "We were excited that so many people had taken advantage of it. I think one of the places that really worked is the malls."
Elections officials hope the changes will increase voter turnout, since just under 54 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot in 2003, the lowest turnout in almost four decades.
The Progressive Conservatives, New Democrats and Liberals, as well as the Green party and Communist party, have names on the ballot. There are several independent candidates.
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Manitoba Votes 2007 Headlines »
- NDP wins historic 3rd majority in Manitoba
- Manitoba NDP Leader Gary Doer has led his party to a historic third majority government in the province's 39th general election, taking 36 of 57 seats.
- PCs win 19 seats, lose ground from 2003
- The Progressive Conservatives won 19 out of 57 ridings Tuesday — a drop of one seat from 2003.
- Liberals hold 2 seats
- Voters denied the Liberals official party status on Tuesday, although the party held its two existing seats.
- Greens make slight gains
- The Green party's dreams of a breakthrough quickly wilted on Tuesday night.
- 16 cabinet ministers re-elected, one loses nailbiter
- Sixteen members of Premier Gary Doer's former NDP cabinet in Manitoba were re-elected Tuesday, but Trade Minister Scott Smith lost the riding of Brandon West in a squeaker.