One of the issues with this election was that Election Day (September 20) was also Erev Sukkot. We also had to deal with COVID-19 protocols and make sure social distancing was taking place. Because of COVID-19, Elections Canada lost a few venues that they have used for polling places. School gyms without an exterior entrance or exit could not be used. We could not have electors walking in the halls where there were students.

On top of that, being Erev Sukkot, we also lost the synagogues we have used in the past. So, basically, we used community centres but had to cram more polling places into them. The community centre had a total of 17 polling stations. I was in a room with seven stations. Except for the first half-hour on Election Day, we never really had more than three to four people waiting in a line. We kept people six feet apart, and the day progressed very well.

All and all, the polling days were uneventful. That is a good thing. To liven things up a bit, the other supervisors and I would applaud first-time voters when they cast their ballot. All enjoyed it, some were embarrassed by it, but they did have big smiles.

This was my third election, and it was a great experience. The hours are long, fourteen and a half hours during the advance polls, and on Election Day, I worked from 7:30 a.m. to 1:45 a.m. I would definitely do it again next election, but please, Justin Trudeau, do not call another election in 18 months!