Should the first advance poll be an indication of what's to come, Cochranites have a keen interest in the municipal election now underway.

The town saw a 46 per cent increase in turnout over the lone 2013 Saturday advance poll, says returning officer Jaylene Knight, and there was a lineup before the Oct. 7 poll opened at 10 a.m. at the SLS Family Sports Centre.

"We had consistent turnout for the greater part of the day, including a few more times where we had shorter lineups.," explains Knight.

There was a full range of ages casting ballots at the poll, from first time 18 year old voters to a 95 year old resident who had to be helped to the poll by their family.

"We are certainly excited about how many people already came out and look forward to increasing voter turnout as we lead up to election day," says Knight.

There are three more advance polls this week preceding the Monday Oct. 16 vote.

Residents unable to vote on election day can cast ther ballots on Wednesday and Thursday in the council chambers of the RancheHouse, 101 RancheHouse Rd., from 4 to 8 p.m. There's one more Saturday poll at the SLS Family Sport Centre, 800 Griffin Rd. E. on Saturday Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The last municipal election in 2013 saw only 33 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots.