Photo: Wayne Moore/file

Close to 20 per cent of all voters eligible to cast a ballot in the federal election across the Okanagan have already done so.

According to preliminary figures released by Elections Canada, 78,779 ballots were cast in the four ridings encompassing the Okanagan during four days of advance polls over the Thanksgiving long weekend.

That's 19.7 per cent of registered electors and 38 per cent more than the 56,966 who voted in advance polls four years ago.

Officials with Elections Canada downplayed the results somewhat, saying 2019 was the first time advance polls were open for 12 hours throughout the four days.

In 2015, polls were only open for eight hours each day.

Riding-by-riding in the Okanagan, voters in the Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola accounted for the largest percentage, while Kelowna-Lake Country had the lowest percent of votes cast.

Here's the overall breakdown:

Nationally, nearly 4.8 million votes were cast, which works out to 17.6 per cent of those eligible.

Polls open for general voting Monday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Eligible voters must vote at the polling station indicated on the registration card received earlier this month from Elections Canada.

You must bring picture ID and proof of address.

Castanet will have live coverage of the 45th federal election as soon as the polls close.