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Eli Smyth wants his vote to matter.

That’s why the Charlottetown resident went to the advance polls on Saturday to cast his vote early for the upcoming provincial election and electoral reform referendum.

“I’m really here to vote ‘yes’ so that my vote will count next time,” he said, referring to voting for a mixed member proportional (MMP) system in the referendum. “I know every other time I vote it doesn’t count for anything… so I’m really happy to change the way the voting system works here.”

Smyth was one of about 13,800 Island voters who went to Saturday’s advance polls.

Paul Alan, manager of election operations and communications for Election P.E.I., said that is up more than 2,000 voters from the first advance poll in the 2015 provincial election.

The referendum was at the forefront of many voters’ minds as The Guardian caught up with them outside of the District 12 Charlottetown-Victoria Park polling station Saturday.

Islanders can vote MMP or for the current first-past-the-post (FPTP) system on their election ballot.

Tyler Jurkowski said he made sure to vote before leaving for vacation next week because he wanted to cast a ballot in the referendum.

“I think it’s fair that everyone gets their say,” he said. “I don’t think one should get majority over the rest… That’s (MMP) something that needs to be in effect because it gives people a chance to get their word in.”

Health care and poverty were also issues brought up by voters at the advance poll.

Terrisa Lynch said her vote goes towards whoever promises to help address poverty.

“I’m doing my honours here on economic injustice and poverty has been the main theme, so I’ve done a lot of research,” she said. “I think it’s crazy that half the children on the Island are living in areas that are food insecure. So that’s huge for me.”

For Erin Cusack, Island health care was the main concern.

“We need to provide good service for those who need care, but I think we really need to be investing in healthier communities preventing people from getting sick in the first place,” she said.

Erna Stevens said she also had a focus on health care when voting.

“We’ve got to get more doctors and health care professionals,” she said.

Stevens, along with other voters, said they voted in advance to beat the rush of people who vote on election day.

“I’d rather get ahead of the crowd,” she said.

Next advance day is Monday, April 15.

Advance poll days

– Monday April 15, 2019

– Thursday April 18, 2019

– Polls will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.