Advance polls busy, but who stands to gain from high voter turnout?

Lineups were reported across the province Thursday, as many Albertans came out to vote in advanced polls ahead of Monday's election.

Some had to wait as long as 40 minutes to cast their ballot. That's a big change from 2008, which saw the lowest voter turnout in Alberta's history - with just 4 of every 10 people eligible to vote actually doing so.

Party leaders are banking on higher numbers this time around.

"There's no doubt that as we move ahead that the discussion and the bubbling and the excitement around this - I think we're going to see tremendously high voter turnout," says PC party leader Alison Redford.

Wildrose leader Danielle Smith says she's also hopeful that there will be a great increase in voter turnout. "We're doing our best to put forward policies that we think will attract people to the polls"

If voter turnout does increase this election, which party stands to benefit, though? Conventional wisdom says the opposition stands to gain, but events like the Hunsperger controversy this past week could end up work against them, and in the PC's favour.

Political scientist Faron Ellis says the PCs aren't the only ones who stand to benefit:

"The other parties supporters may be more motivated because there is a competition between the two right ring parties and parties on the left want to motivate their voters to get out," he says.

For those like Betty and Gavin Hollas, who've been voting in every provincial election since moving to Canada five decades ago, voting is a victory in and of itself.

"A lot of people don't, I know that, and it breaks my heart! Every vote counts, Gavin says.

"If you don't vote, any Tom, Dick, or Harry can get in."

Advance polls will also be open Friday and Saturday.

To find out where to vote you can visit the Elections Alberta website.

For more information you can view Election Alberta’s commonly asked questions web page.

If you will be away during the election you can request a special ballot here.

With files from Vassy Kapelos, Global News