It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, not Christmas, election time! Students get to head to the polls twice in October and this SU view is to let you know when and why you will be voting this month.
The SU By-Election is fast approaching with nomination days (the days you can hand in your completed nomination package) running from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Oct. 6–8. You can pick up nomination packages in the Students’ Union office in Mac Hall right up until the last nomination day.
If you’re thinking about running, DO IT! The positions that can be contested in this By-Election are: two Academic Commissioners, one Events Commissioner, two Operations & Finance Commissioners and Representatives from the Education, Humanities, Nursing, Science, Social Work and Veterinary Medicine faculties. Candidates can apply for election grants or campaign expense reimbursement, so, what’s holding you back? Being a part of the SU allows you to gain valuable experience such as representing and connecting with your peers, working on numerous committees and understanding how a large, young organization works.
If you’re not running, make sure to vote! Check out the SU website at www.su.ucalgary.ca to find the platforms of each candidate, come out to one (or more) candidate forum, and make sure to vote through your student center at my.ucalgary.ca on one of the voting days: Oct. 21, 22 and 23. If you have any questions about the SU Elections, contact the CRO Alexandra at cro@su.ucalgary.ca
But wait, that’s not all, it’s also federal election time! Voting day is Oct. 14. Every vote will count in this election- it could be the difference between a minority or a majority government. Polls have been all over the map during this election campaign and it’s hard to predict just how it will all turn out.
So, what should you do? Well, vote of course! But, also get yourself informed and get out and meet the candidates. The SU will be hosting an all-candidates forum on Thu., Oct. 9 at 12 p.m. As well, the SU is setting up an election center in the ‘What SUp” space in MacEwan Student Centre (next to the bank machines) so you can come and find out where and how to vote in the federal election. You can also visit party and candidate’s website, go down to their campaign offices, talk to a candidate on the phone and go to forums in your community. The future of the country is in your hands, don’t screw up!
Vote, vote, vote, vote, vote, vote! Got the message? VOTE! Get yourself informed, about both the SU and Federal Elections and then make somebody give a damn about what you think, by marking that ‘X’ on a piece of paper.
Alastair can be reached at suvpext@ucalgary.ca or 403-220-3910 or 403-836-8925.