The Rideau River Residence Association (RRRA) launched a new ad campaign Sept. 10 that aims to encourages students to vote in the upcoming federal election.
RRRA worked with Toronto-based ad firm Key Gordon Communications to develop “an out-of-the-box, thought provoking campaign,” that would “start the conversation on voting this year, as well stand out from other cookie-cutter campaigns,” RRRA president Graham Pedregosa said.
The campaign features posters with slogans such as “Racists Vote,” “Sexists Vote,” and “Homophobes Vote.” It encourages students to “Drown them out on October 19” and “Get Your Vote On.”
Pedregosa said the association wants students to think seriously about voting in this federal election.
“For many students—and for the 3,600 students on residence—this will be their first time voting in a federal election,” Pedregosa said. “When students don’t vote, other opinions that students may not share are expressed through our democratic system.”
He added that reminding students to vote, as well as making them aware of the voting process, will allow them to express their opinions this election.
Pedregosa said RRRA will hang the posters throughout each floor in residence and around campus in order for the message to reach as many Carleton students as possible.
Although the campaign aims to draw students into voting, second-year law and psychology student Charissa Feres said the campaign wouldn’t change her intentions to vote.
“The only aspect of this election influencing my inclination to vote is what the politicians stand for and if I connect with that,” Feres said.
RRRA will also be holding an all-candidates debate for Ottawa-Centre on Sept. 23.
“We will also be tabling in Residence Commons to inform students where and how to vote,” Pedregosa said.
The Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) will also be taking measures to encourage students to vote, according to vice-president (student issues) Maddie Adams.
“This year at CUSA we have a three-prong approach to get out the vote to students in our community,” Adams said. Beginning Sept. 21, a voter starter kit with information for students on how to vote will be available for pick up or download from CUSA.
Adams added that CUSA would be filming a non-partisan voter mob to help remind students and youth to vote in the upcoming election.
“The last aspect [of the CUSA campaign] is an all-candidates’ debate between the Ottawa-Centre candidates on youth and education,” Adams said. The debate will be taking place on Sept. 29.
Pedregosa said he is optimistic about the effect the RRRA campaign will have on student voter turnout.
“This campaign is a success if students continue to have a conversation about voting and vote this fall,” Pedregosa said. “Having youth voter turnout increase at Carleton and across the country this election is the ultimate goal.”
