Campus LifeNewsStudents' Union

Satellite polls to set up next week, allow students to vote on campus

University of Alberta students will soon be able to vote in any constituency in Canada on campus via satellite polling stations.

The stations will be located in the Aurora Room of Lister Centre and SUB basement from Oct. 5 to 8 and will operate from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. In order to cast your ballot, you need a piece of government-issue photo identification and well as a proof of residence.

For Students’ Union Vice-President (External) Dylan Hanwell, the satellite polls mark an important step in getting students out to vote.

“The polls are incredibly accessible, you can register at the same time as you vote,” Hanwell said. “People are really excited about the satellite polls, and we’re one of the few locations across the country that have one.”

As Director of Advocacy for the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA), Hanwell led the national Get Out the Vote campaign. The project, which aims to get as many students to the polls as possible, also registers student voters via pledges for lobby purposes. Hanwell said the process has been “fun,” but still a lot of work.

“One of the things we work on at the national level is advertising in the national media, making sure all our organizations and campaigns are highlighted,” Hanwell said. “On campus, our primary goal is physical signups and pledges to vote.”

Hanwell added that though 3,000 students had signed up in U of A canvassing, figures for the entirety of CASA were not available.

The main goal of all the outreach programs, for Hanwell, is to try get as much of the student population as possible to the vote. Despite this, Hanwell said he wanted to see the satellite polls become a permanent fixture in future for votes all levels of government.

“It’s important to have Elections Canada know that these satellite polls are effective on campus and should be kept around,” Hanwell said. “We’re happy that we got it in the first place, but we really want to keep it for elections to come.”

Related Articles

Back to top button