FREDERICTON (CNB) – Satellite returning offices were opened today on campuses at four post-secondary institutions as part of an Elections NB pilot program aimed at increasing student voter participation.

“These satellite offices will make it much easier for students of voting age to add their names to the voters list or to vote in the upcoming general election,” said Michael Quinn, chief electoral officer for New Brunswick. “There’s also the convenience of being able to do this at a location close to where they are attending classes.”

The satellite returning offices are located at the Student Union Building in Fredericton, serving students at both St. Thomas University and the University of New Brunswick; the University of New Brunswick campus in Saint John; the Université de Moncton campus in Moncton; and the Edmundston campus of the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick, which will also extend voting services for students attending the adjacent Edmundtson campus of the Université de Moncton.

“We are pleased to be working with the various student organizations on the campuses to promote the increased accessibility that the satellite offices will provide,” said Quinn. “I encourage students and faculty to take full advantage of this service.”

In addition to being open for voting during advance polls and on Election Day, students can visit the satellite campus office during normal hours of operation until Sept. 27.

Students attending post-secondary institutions have the option to vote for a candidate in the electoral district where they normally live, or for a candidate in the electoral district where they live while attending school.

Elections NB will review the effectiveness of this pilot project after the election.


02-09-10