Thousands of students at McMaster will be eligible to vote in the Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale riding. The McMaster Students Union is helping to inform students about their voting choices by running the “Smart People Vote” Campaign on campus.

This campaign is aimed at informing students about the federal election, how to register to vote and candidates' stances on issues important to post secondary students.

“We hear a lot about the apathy of young people not caring and not getting out to vote,” says Stephanie Murray, vice-president education for the McMaster Students Union. “The fact is that politicians don't see the youth vote as valid and they don't develop platforms that appeal to young people. Students don't see the issues as applying to them and don't go out and vote.”

Approximately 2.6 million Canadians are between the ages of 18-24, representing 12 per cent of eligible voters.

Students will have a chance to hear local candidates platforms and ask questions in person at an all candidates debate scheduled for today (Monday, January 16) at 12:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Gilmour Hall, Rm. 111.

Elections Canada will also be on campus Monday in the McMaster University Student Centre from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17. Monday is the last day that people can pre-register for the election so that they will appear on the voters list on January 23. If students miss this day to register, they will still be able to register at the polls the day of the vote. It should be noted that the only students who are allowed to vote on campus are those in residence. All other students should check the Elections Canada website, www.elections.ca to locate their polling station.