With the student demographic having some of the lowest voter turnout numbers and and only two weeks left in the federal election, students have to make sure they know how to vote to make sure theirs counts.
Here’s how to according to the Election’s Canada website.
First you have to make sure you are registered to vote. If you voted in the last election you are more than likely still registered. If you didn’t vote you may not be registered
You can register online at elections.ca. However, some addresses are not available for registering online. If this is the case go to either the Elections Canada office in the Student Union Building at the University of New Brunswick, or to the returning office on Prospect Street. You can also register at your poll on election day, but it will be easier if you register before you vote.
Now, if you voted in the last election, and have not moved, voting is simple. You will receive a card in the mail that lists your riding, date of advanced polls, the date of the election, and the location of your poll.
If you voted in the last election, but have moved, then you will need to make sure Elections Canada is aware of your address change. Again you can do this online, in person, even on election day. Again it will be easier if you do it before.
Once you’re registered, and ready to vote, some of you may need to make a decision.
If your a student, and you live in Fredericton year round. You just vote for the candidate of your choice in the Fredericton riding.
However, if you are a student, and live in Fredericton during the school year, and at home during the summer, then you can choose to vote in either (but not both) ridings.
If you consider Fredericton your riding then you can vote up to Oct. 19. If you consider another riding your home, and won’t be in that riding on election day, then you must vote at a Elections Canada office (like the one in the SUB) between Oct. 5 and 8.
In terms of ID, if you have a valid provincial or territorial drivers licence or ID, that has an address with the riding you want to vote in, you are good. You won’t need anything else.
If you do not have this you can still vote. All you need is two pieces of ID, one that shows your current address. The standard student example would be your student ID, and a utility bill. This are by no means the only ID’s you can use, a full list is available on elections.ca.
Even if you don’t have an id with your current address, you can still vote. All you need is two pieces of ID with your name (student ID, health card, credit card, etc.), and someone who knows you, is registered in the same polling division, and is willing to take an oath to confirm your identity. Remember, you can only take an oath for one person.
Now that you have everything you need to vote how do you get there. If you have a car that’s no problem. If not there’s always buses and taxis. You can even walk. If none of these are possible political parties usually have volunteers on hand to drive people to the polls if they cannot make it. Call them up, they want your vote too much to refuse.
Finally, it is your right as a Canadian citizen to be able to vote. Even if others want to stop you from voting do not let them. If there is a problem call Elections Canada.
Also your employer needs to give you time to vote, it’s not an option, it’s the law.
