Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
November 4, 2015

Elections Newfoundland and Labrador Introduces a Campus Voting Pilot Project at Memorial University in St. John's

On Monday, November 16, Elections Newfoundland and Labrador will introduce a three-day Campus Voting pilot project at Memorial University in St. John's. An office will be established to offer students the option of voting by Special Ballot, with the goal of making voting as easy and accessible as possible.

"Part of Elections Newfoundland and Labrador's mandate includes making voting accessible for all electors. We understand the unique challenges that students face when it comes to voting, especially when living away from home to pursue their studies. With that said, we are very pleased to be opening a Campus Voting office, for the first time ever, at MUN in St. John's - the largest post-secondary campus in the province. Students who have come to St. John's from other parts of Newfoundland and Labrador will be able to vote for what they consider their ‘home' district. Their experience will be optimized by the fact that the voting office is conveniently located on campus, near their classes."
- Victor Powers, Chief Electoral Officer of Newfoundland and Labrador

The Campus Voting office will be located at The Landing in the University Centre (UC 3018) and will be open from Monday, November 16 until Wednesday, November 18, between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

"Students and youth were very active on campus during the federal election, thanks in part to on-campus polling stations. By working with students to establish a Campus Voting office, Elections Newfoundland and Labrador is ensuring that young people who otherwise might not have had access to the polls in their home districts continue to be engaged in the provincial election."
- Travis Perry, Chair, Canadian Federation of Students-Newfoundland and Labrador

Students who intend to vote at the Campus Voting office will have to complete an application and provide proof of identity.

Applications are available on the Elections Newfoundland and Labrador website for students who wish to complete one prior to visiting the Campus Voting office (www.elections.gov.nl.ca). Applications will also be available from the Canadian Federation of Students - NL at students' union offices throughout the province.

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Media contacts:

Adrienne Luther Communications and Training Manager Elections Newfoundland and Labrador Office of the Chief Electoral Officer 709-729-1474, 687-4217 adrienneluther@gov.nl.ca

Michael Walsh Organizer, Canadian Federation of Students - Newfoundland and Labrador 709-737-3204, 685-3203 m.walsh@cfs-nl.ca

2015 11 04                              1:55 p.m.