Post-secondary students call for return of 'vote anywhere' advance voting to Calgary
Student leaders from Calgary's major post-secondary institutions are calling on Elections Calgary to reverse its decision to cancel 'vote anywhere' advanced polling stations.
"We are more than ready as student associations to work with Elections Calgary and with our institutions to make sure that this happens," said Marley Gillies, Calgary Student Alliance chair. "Our campuses are huge places, they are meant to host a lot of people. If it's safe for students to return to campus then it should be safe to return to the advance voting 'vote anywhere' polls."
In the 2017 municipal election, Calgarians had the opportunity to vote at any advance poll location across Calgary. Nearly 75,000 voters cast their ballots at advanced polls and nearly 5,000 of those votes were cast at post-secondary institutions.
"For students who are studying on campus, who have part time and maybe full time jobs and have people to care for, (they) need the convenience and accessibility of that on-campus voting."
The students have the backing of Ward 8 Coun. Evan Woolley.
"This is not rocket science," said Woolley. "This is something that we have done before, this is printing costs.
"These are some pretty simple requests, right? We have the maps of where we put the stations last time. We need to hire some people. We need to print some more ballots. This isn’t turning around a ship this is making some additional steps so that a demographic of people. who we underserve and we provide really poor access to our democratic process. It’s delivering what they are asking for.”
The student association leaders from Calgary's largest institutions say they will continue to fight for the advanced polls in the lead up to the October municipal election and hope Elections Calgary will revisit its decision.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Harrow family of four died from gunshot wounds in case of intimate partner violence, Ontario police say
Investigators have determined that the deaths of four family members in Harrow in June were the result of intimate partner violence, with three dying from gunshot wounds and one from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Japan’s tourism tax sparks industry speculation in Canada
Japan has introduced a tourism tax for Mount Fuji, which has prompted some in Canada to wonder if our own tourist destinations like Niagara Falls and the Bay of Fundy could be potential options for our own tourism tax.
Up to 7 teens with pellet guns shot at people at Toronto park: police
Multiple people have been shot by a group of teenagers with pellet guns at Woodbine Park, Toronto police say.
Woman dies at Rolling Stones concert in Vancouver
A woman attending the Rolling Stones concert at BC Place died Friday night, police confirmed.
Crew of NASA's earthbound simulated Mars habitat emerge after a year
The crew of a NASA mission to Mars emerged from their craft after a yearlong voyage that never left Earth.
Vehicle supply building. Prices are going down. Is it time to buy a new car?
For the first time in years, car shoppers are having an easier time finding a deal as the auto industry bounces back from supply chain woes — and experts say the outlook could get even better.
Radio host who interviewed Biden says aides provided questions in advance
U.S. President Joe Biden’s team provided a list of questions to a radio host who interviewed the president this week in the aftermath of his debate performance, the host told CNN.
Edmonton to activate hot weather response as temps rise over weekend
The City of Edmonton's extreme heat response will come into effect Monday as high temperatures are expected to last several days.
At Essence, Black Democrats rally behind Biden and talk up Kamala Harris
As U.S. President Joe Biden tries to revive his embattled reelection bid, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris led a parade of Black Democrats who warned Saturday that the threat of another Donald Trump presidency remains the most important calculation ahead of November.