Thousands of students vote at MUN polling station
Election day is still more than a week away, but thousands of students in Newfoundland and Labrador have already cast their ballots.
The Canadian Federation of Students says that more than 2,500 students voted in the advance polling station at Memorial University.
"It was really exciting to hear that students were really engaged and connected and excited to cast a ballot for the first time," said Travis Perry, chairperson with the Canadian Federation of Students.
This is the first time Elections Canada has set up pop-up returning offices on campus. MUN was one of 29 college and university campuses across Canada participating in the pilot project.
From Monday to Thursday, students queued up in droves, with lineups often stretching far out the polling station door.
Miles Alexander, an 18-year-old student from St. George's, said he was excited to vote for the first time.
"I think it's important for students to vote in general. It's good to have that young population getting involved in politics early," he said.
"The resources are available, clearly. If you can, do it, why not?"
More than 42,000 students voting across Canada
According to the Canada's chief electoral officer, more than 42,000 students across Canada voted in the first three days the poll stations were on campuses.
Nick Baldwin from Carbonear said he hasn't voted in the past few elections, but recently realized it was time for him to get engaged.
"I haven't voted in the past couple and realized I had started complaining about it. I figured maybe I shouldn't be complaining if I wasn't voting," said Baldwin.
"If you're going to complain about anything you don't really have a right to complain if you don't go out and try to make a difference."
Students like Haley Moreland from Saskatchewan could vote for the representatives in their home riding, regardless of where they were from.
"I think it's really important with this election," said Moreland.
"I'm starting to go into the workforce and I'm feeling a lot more the effects of the government."
Youth voter turnout historically low
In the 2011 federal election, there was a 38.8 per cent turnout for youth between the ages of 18 and 24. In contrast, voter turnout was 75.1 per cent for people ages 65 to 74.
Perry said he thinks more young people will show up to the polls this year because they're frustrated with the current political situation.
"Students are fed up with the state of our country and are looking for a federal party to step up to the plate. Unfortunately we're not seeing any of the political parties put student issues front and centre and talk about the big picture," he said.
"I think that's why students are going to show up to the polls this year, because they're tired of a government that's not doing work for them."
Elections Canada also set up two temporary stations at 13 aboriginal friendship centres and two urban YMCAs.
There will be another polling station on the MUN campus on October 19, however it will only be available to students voting in the riding of St. John's East.
