As polling sites start to open for the 2025 federal election, post-secondary institutions will provide students with voting locations on campus to cast their votes.
The Vote on Campus Program by Elections Canada helps post-secondary institutions register to have an on-campus voting station for students and faculty.
For this year’s election, across the country, 109 post-secondary schools have registered to participate, with Bow Valley College, SAIT, Mount Royal University and University of Calgary having polling stations available for students in Calgary.
This program is to increase the voting percentage of youth aged between 18-24, who have traditionally been in the lower percentile of voting in past federal elections.
“In the last federal election in 2021, the turnout for people aged 18 to 14 was 47 per cent, whereas if you look at another segment of the population, those aged 65 to 74 years old, it was 75 per cent,” said Leanne Nyirfa, spokesperson for Elections Canada.
“One way that Elections Canada is making it easier for youth to vote is by offering the Vote on Campus Program.”
By setting up voting stations where youth frequent, there is a possibility for a larger youth voter turnout because of easier access to polling stations.
“It’s just another venue, another option that you students in particular would have if they’re already going to school on campus, there’s a polling location that’s right there for them, so access might be a little bit easier,” said Nyirfa.
Student-friendly voting
During the busy exam season that falls in line with the election, polling stations held on campus give students the time to vote even on their tight schedules.
“Right now, we have exam period going on at the same time, so students don’t really have the luxury of being able to get around to going to vote on election day or otherwise,” said Ermia Rezaei-Afsah, UCalgary’s student union president.
Rezaei-Afsah said that some students don’t have easy access to polling stations, so having one on campus makes it easier for students to have their voices heard.
“A lot of students don’t have access to a car or the means to get around as easily to a polling station,” he said.
Students currently residing in Calgary for post-secondary studies can vote in any federal electoral district in Canada, including any Calgary ridings, when using the on-campus polling stations.
“The advanced poll on campus allows them to vote in their home riding. It doesn’t have to be a Calgary Confederation. So, first-time voter or not, it’s very beneficial to be able to have this opportunity to go vote early, ahead of time, and with multiple days,” said Rezaei-Afsah
“I think that students, especially in the Calgary Confederation, have the opportunity to really make their voice heard. Because right now it’s 50/50, here. 50 per cent Liberal and 50 per cent Conservative chance of winning from what we’re seeing.
“It comes out to every single vote, and I think that students should go on and vote.”
For new student voters, having polling stations on campus helps to make the voting process easier.
“It’s a new experience for first-time voters to actually take part in the federal election,” said Ahmad Baker, the president of SAITSA, SAIT’s student union.
“I know they might have some challenges with questions about how to vote properly, but we do have poll workers there who are able to assist first-time voters.”
Canada votes on April 28, 2025.
