Get Out The Vote!
The Canadian federal election has been called for September 20, 2021.
Your vote is important. The more students vote, the more likely that student values will help shape the future of our country. It’s time to act! AUSU has partnered with the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) in a nation-wide campaign to mobilize students to vote. We need your pledge to vote to make sure the voices of Athabasca University students are heard in the upcoming federal election.
Show your commitment to voting in the election by pledging to vote at getoutthevote.ca. Add your name to the list of thousands of students that have promised to vote on September 20!
GET OUT THE VOTE CONTESTS
To promote Get Out The Vote at Athabasca University AUSU is offering a bunch of prizes – with five different ways to win.
1. Get a Reminder to Vote
- Sign up at getoutthevote.ca before September 20 to receive a reminder to vote on election day
- Any AUSU member who pledges to vote is immediately entered into the contest
- Prizes include a set of Apple Air Pods, AUSU swag packs, $100, and $50 Amazon gift cards
- Winners will be drawn at random after September 20
2. Why I Vote
- Follow AUSU on social media and create a video, graphic, or post on why you are voting this election, and use the hashtag #ReadySetVote
- Any AUSU member who makes a post on social media that is following AUSU and uses that hashtag will be entered into the contest
- Prizes include a set of Apple Air Pods as well – along with many other great prizes including $50 Amazon Gift Cards
- Winners will be drawn at random after September 20 and will be contacted via social media based on their post
3. Ask Us Anything
- Voting sometimes seems intimidating but actually is quick and easy, especially when you are armed with knowledge
- Ask us anything about the election on any of our social media posts or stories – whether it is Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn – and you will be entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card
- Winners will be drawn at random once a week during the election, with the last one determined on September 20
4. AUSUnights Social – Election Edition on September 9
- Every month AUSU hosts a virtual student social with a fun game for prizes – and this month we are hosting an election themed trivia game
- Any AUSU member who attends AUSUnights could win a prize
- Email ausu@ausu.org to get a link to attend AUSUnights on September 9 at 5:00pm MDT
5. Leaders’ Debate Watch Party on September 9
- Right after AUSUnights at 7:00pm MDT the debate between the party leaders will start and AUSU is hosting an online watch party complete with a game of bingo for key phrases that politicians commonly use
- Prizes include a set of Apple Air Pods, AUSU swag packs, and $100 Amazon gift cards
- Email ausu@ausu.org to get a link to attend the watch party – or just stay on the Zoom call after AUSUnights – it will be the same link. The watch party will start at 7:00pm MDT on September 9
GET OUT THE VOTE EVENTS
September 9 at 5:00pm MDT – AUSUnights Election Edition
Executive Director Jodi Campbell hosts a monthly virtual student social via Zoom and on September 9 we are hosting the election edition of this regular event. All students who participate have an opportunity to win prizes and of course everyone will get a chance to meet and socialize with other Athabasca University students.
September 9 at 7:00pm MDT – Leaders’ Debate Watch Party
Join VP External Karen Fletcher in watching the English language leaders’ debate via Zoom, and play Bingo with squares populated by common phrases and actions politicians do in debates – and of course students will have an opportunity to win some prizes.
September 13 at 1:00pm MDT – Facebook Live with Athabasca University
We are hosting a Facebook Live event with Athabasca University Vice President University Relations Kristine Williamson to talk about the importance of voting within the AU community, and how vital democracy is to our campus. Join in at facebook.com/austudentsunion/.
September 13 at 5:00pm MDT – GOTV Drop In
Join our Governance and Advocacy Coordinator Duncan Wojtaszek and ask him anything about the federal election – he has a background in elections and worked in a few of them in all sorts of roles. Of course, he will be asking you a simple question – what are you doing on election day?
September 20 – ELECTION DAY!
GET OUT AND VOTE! Visit Elections Canada if you need to find out where to vote and what to bring, but make a plan to make sure you cast your ballot and your voice is counted.
AUSU knows that students from many equity-seeking groups may face increased barriers to voting, including the variously intersecting identities of new Canadians, first-time voters, Indigenous voters, racialized voters, disabled voters, and our 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
As a way to make the voting process more accessible, our VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek has developed a a list of Q and A’s on our 2SLGBTQIA+ Discord Server, which focus on common barriers to voting, as well as helpful links to election-specific information. Check it out!
Contest rules
To enter the Get A Reminder To Vote contest an AUSU member has to sign up at getoutthevote.ca and identify themselves as an Athabasca University student under the school field, and entering the contest gives AUSU and CASA no information about how or whether you vote and AUSU is in no way telling you who to vote for. Only one entry per person will be accepted.
To enter the Why I Vote contest an AUSU member needs to follow AUSU on a social media platform, make a social media post on that platform expressing why they are voting in the upcoming election, and use the hashtag #ReadySetVote. Only one entry per person will be accepted.
To enter the Ask Us Anything contest an AUSU member has to ask a question regarding the election to an AUSU social media account or ask a question regarding the election in the comments section on an AUSU post. Only one entry per person will be accepted.
To enter the AUSUnights Social – Election Edition and the Leaders’ Debate Watch Party contests an AUSU member must attend the event virtually via Zoom on September 9, 2021. Other details may be announced at the event.
To qualify to enter any contest or receive any prize you must be a current member of AUSU. Following the contest deadlines, the prize winners will be selected by random drawings from all eligible entries received by AUSU by the stated deadline The prize winners will be contacted via the platform they used to submit their entry and the winner’s names will be announced via AUSU social media. Terms of winning will depend on the total number of eligible entries received. Unclaimed prize(s) will not be awarded. Prizes are non-transferable and must be accepted as awarded, without substitution. All federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations apply. Awarding of prize is subject to verification of winner. Return of any prize/prize notification as undeliverable or determination by AUSU that the selected entrant is ineligible will result in disqualification. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission to AUSU to use winner’s name and/or likeness for purposes of advertising without further compensation unless prohibited by law. By accepting their prize, prize winners agree to hold harmless AUSU and its respective affiliates, council, employees, advertising and promotion agencies and assigns against any and all claims and liability (including, but not limited to, liability for any property loss, damage, personal injury or death) arising out of use of prize. By participating in this Contest, entrants agree to be bound by the Contest Terms and the decisions of AUSU. If you have any questions about this contest, please email ausu@ausu.org.