Getting Students to Vote in Federal Election

January 8th, 2006 by admin

Vaheguru ji ka khalsa,
Vaheguru ji ki fatheh!

_/\_

It is very important for the Sikh youth of BC to get out there and VOTE in the upcoming federal elections. If you are confused about the choices, do research - there are so many information resources on the internet as well as in your local community. Find out about the candidates and the parties and make your decision and exercise your right and responsibility to vote.

Here is a related article on this topic:

The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Jean Pierre Kingsley, wants students to be informed of Elections Canada’s efforts to help them register and vote in the current federal general election.

“We have established a communications campaign for youth featuring radio, television and print advertising,” said Kingsley. The Elections Canada Web site at www.elections.ca also has a section dedicated to young voters with information for students. It encourages involvement in the electoral process through information about the different ways of voting and opportunities for employment during the election. Posters, voter information guides and e-mail bulletins are also helping to tell young people what they need to know to cast a ballot. In co-operation with student associations, Elections Canada information is being shared with students throughout the country.

“I want to highlight the fact that our targeted registration of university and college students is beginning this week. This is very important for students who may be casting their ballots for the first time or who have recently changed their address,” said Kingsley. Between January 3 and 12, Elections Canada revising agents will visit campus residences and neighbourhoods where students live to update the lists of electors.

“In addition, 347 polling stations have been placed on or near university and college campuses, to serve students and other electors who reside in those particular polling divisions,” said Kingsley. “To find out where you’re registered to vote, check your voter information card or visit the Elections Canada Web site at www.elections.ca.”

Students can take advantage of the many ways to vote. While election day is Monday, January 23, students, like all electors, have other options for voting. They can vote during advance voting days on Friday, January 13, Saturday, January 14, and Monday, January 16 or use the convenient special ballot, either at the office of their returning officer or by mail.

A student who lives away from home and is eligible to vote can be registered to vote in his or her family’s electoral district. However, students are not obliged to vote where their families reside. The student’s place of “ordinary residence” may be the place that he or she has adopted as home while at school, and the student may choose to register and vote in that riding.

Once a student has established and registered at his or her electoral district, he or she may vote by regular ballot at the polls, at the local returning office at any time or by mail. To vote by mail, students must register by January 17 at 6:00 p.m. Forms are available for downloading from Elections Canada’s Web site or from the local returning officer.

Information is being sent on a regular basis to major student federations and youth umbrella organizations. “I encourage students to use their right to vote - we are trying to make it as easy as possible for them,” said Kingsley.    

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