The provincial students' union launches a new campaign Aug. 15 at Vancouver Island University aiming to get more young people to vote.
Katy Carr, campaign outreach coordinator with the B.C. branch of the Canadian Federation of Students, said in anticipation of municipal elections in November – and a possible provincial election – the union wants to encourage youth and students to vote.
"If we want to make certain issues heard, we need to exercise those rights," she said. "You can change things and you can make the issues you care about a priority if you vote."
The voter engagement campaign launch takes place at VIU because the Nanaimo institution is also hosting the provincial union's annual general meeting the weekend before, with about 80 delegates from across the province expected to attend.
Carr said each local will be given posters and other campaign materials, but it is up to each students' union to decide how to incorporate the message into events and outreach work.
Encouraging people to register to vote is also part of the campaign.
"If you've been registered as a voter, you're more likely to vote," said Carr.