Local schools look at ways to get students voting

Often voter turnout fall shorts in the younger demographic. But some in Lethbridge are trying to ensure ballots are cast in this early Spring election.

“We plan to live in this province moving forward. We want to make it better, it’s our home,” said University of Lethbridge student union president Sean Glydon. “I think it’s important to engage students, because we should have a voice, we are also residents of Alberta.”

Glydon is trying to inspire the student population to exercise their right to vote. The U of L, along with four other post secondary schools in Alberta,  http://globalnews.ca/news/1930017/alberta-university-students-hope-to-galvanize-youth-vote/ are aiming to get their peers attention through the “Get Out The Vote” campaign.

“All of us across our campuses are engaging students and getting them out to vote,” said Glydon. “We’ve had over 6,000 students sign up over those campuses so far.”

Through the “Get Out The Vote” campaign, students pledge they will vote in the provincial election. Those spearheading the project hope that it engages students to become more active in the democratic process.

The university’s campaign isn’t the only one gaining attention however. Lethbridge College instructor Martina Emard is working on something a little more unconventional to get students to the polls.

“Myself being a Star Wars fan, my whole family being Star Wars fans really, I thought oh there’s got to be a play on words on this that could really engage those apathetic voters, or those disgruntled Albertans,” said Emard.

She is using Star Wars film references on social media as a way to get the younger generation more interested in voting.

“Just by saying a few phrases and changing the way they’re thinking about the process, I really want them to understand that they have the power to make change, or make it the same. Whatever they want to do, it’s really up to them.”