On-Campus Voting for Canada’s 2025 Federal Election is open for one more day

The federal election is fast approaching, and Elections Canada has opened polling stations at more than 100 post-secondary campuses across the country to try increasing voter turnout.

On-campus voting in Calgary is available at the University of Calgary, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Mount Royal University and Bow Valley College. The last day to cast an advance vote at on-campus station is Wednesday. Polls are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Election day is April 28.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post-secondary students and staff — as well as any eligible Canadian — can take advantage of the early on-campus polling stations to register and vote.

 

Schools with on-campus voting have signs posted around campus to guide voters to the correct location.

The Vote on Campus campaign was launched by Elections Canada in 2015, after survey results showed that not many young people were voting.

“The vote on campus program is designed to help address some of those barriers to voting we know youth face,” said Leanne Nyirfa, Elections Canada spokesperson. “When it comes to students in particular, sometimes they’re living away from home and don’t realize they can vote.”

Data from the 2021 federal election shows the voter turnout for 18- to 24-year-olds was 47 per cent — lower than in the 2019 election.

Election voter turnout comparison between 2019 and 2021. (Image by Nicole Matthews)

 

Canada’s all-time low voter turnout was in 2008, at 58.8 per cent overall.

Voter turnout analysis by year. (Image by Nicole Matthews)

 

“The convenience alone increases participation,”

Voting on campus is open to anyone who requires a special ballot or who wants to cast their vote in advance for whichever riding is considered their home riding. These locations allow eligible voters to participate, even if they are away from home.

“Voting on campus is extremely helpful for students coming from abroad. It’s also really accessible and it gets younger people more involved, who might not be inclined to go out of their way,” said Nikita Sapkota, University of Calgary student. “It’s also beneficial for faculty who can go vote while they’re already at work.”

Voters must bring two pieces of identification and they do not need to be a student.

Participate in a voting survey here.