The City of Terrace is working to increase participation in the upcoming municipal elections by approving two motions, including a program to engage young people and the the opening of a second voting station. 

At a recent city council meeting, Corporate Administrator Alisa Thompson provided a report that outlined the costs of four possible motions to expand voter participation.

This report follows a committee of the whole meeting where Thompson proposed the initial idea of a KidVote, and was then asked to develop a more detailed proposal. 

Two of the proposals were denied by council due to cost and effectiveness not being sufficient. 

But the two motions that went forward focus on developing early interest in voting for children, as well as improving accessibility to be able to vote.

Thompson's original idea for a KidVote has been approved by the council and will consist of giving kids ballots of their own to fill outside alongside their families. Although these ballots won’t give kids the option to vote on candidates, it will give them the chance to vote on issues that are relevant to them. 

Thompson was inspired with this idea when hearing about a school in Vancouver that did a student vote to inspire kids to get involved with their local government and show them the importance of voting as a whole. 

In order to give the entire family a chance to vote, council also elected to open a second voting station. Planned to be located in a school in the Keith Estates area of town, residents in this area will now have easier access to a voting station.

Both of these projects are a first for the city, and will be observed as possible assets in future elections.

Listen to the radio story below: