麻豆传媒 students in Halifax seeking an easy way to cast an early ballot in the federal election can do so right on campus.听
Elections Canada has worked with Dal to facilitate a polling station on Carleton Campus this coming Sunday (April 13) through Wednesday (April 16) as part of its cross-country 听辫谤辞驳谤补尘.
The convenience of an early on-campus poll could encourage more students to get out and vote during a campaign happening nearly simultaneously with Dal's exam period 鈥� a time when many students will be laser-focused on their studies and arranging post-term travel home.听
When and where
Life Science Research Institute, 1344 Summer Street (on Dal's Carleton Campus)
April 13 鈥� 12-6 p.m.
April 14-16 鈥� 9 a.m. -9 p.m.听
鈥淲e want to ensure our students feel supported in exercising their democratic right to vote,鈥� says Laura Hynes Jenkins, assistant vice president of government relations at Dal. 鈥淪upporting Elections Canada in bringing the ballot box to Dal campus can help us do that.鈥�
We want to ensure our students feel supported in exercising their democratic right to vote
听shows voter turnout among young people aged 18-24 鈥� a demographic that includes many university students 鈥� has declined substantially in the past two federal elections in 2021 and 2019.听
In the 2021 general election, just 46.7 per cent of electors in that demographic voted 鈥� the lowest turnout of any age group.
How it works
Students from other parts of Canada outside Halifax will be able to vote for candidates in their home riding at the polling station. That means a student from Calgary or Cape Breton, for example, can vote for candidates from afar rather than having to plan their travel to ensure they get back to their riding in time to vote.听
Dal鈥檚 exam period kicks off today (April 9) and runs through April 26 鈥� just two days before Election Day on April 28.
Proof of identification and home address are all that is required to register to vote at the special voting site. Individuals must be at least 18 years old at the time of voting.听
The voting process for Elections Canada's Vote on Campus program听differs from the one used on Election Day or advanced polling days. It uses what's called a special ballot, which allows voters to cast their ballot remotely or outside their home electoral district.
An elections official will be available at the voting place to provide a ballot and, if requested, a list of all candidates for an elector's specific home riding. Voters will then mark their choice and follow instructions for submitting the ballot, which includes placing it in an unmarked envelope and then inside another with the voter's name on it.
When it comes time to count the special ballots, the outside envelope with the elector's name is discarded and the inside one is returned to the ballot box and mixed with the other ballots to ensure it cannot be traced back to the name.听
In Truro, special ballots are available at advanced polling stations and at all Elections Canada offices. Check听听for more details as they become available.
Not a student from away?
Students from local ridings, staff, and any eligible elector are also welcome to vote at the temporary location next week.
On Election Day (April 28), Dal will host a voting place in the 麻豆传媒 Student Union boardroom on the second floor of the Student Union Building (6136 University Avenue) for individuals with that location listed on the voter information card they received in the mail.听Likewise, Langille Athletic Center will serve as a polling location in Truro on Election Day.