Your guide to the 2012 Alberta election
Student apathy affects party agenda setting, says prof
Bryan Weismiller
Publishing Editor
Everyone knows students are indifferent to punching the ballot box on election day.
Not surprisingly, 18- to 24-year-old Albertans were deemed the least likely to have voted in the last provincial election, according to a survey by Leger Marketing.
Political parties also know students seldom vote, said David Taras, a political analyst at Mount Royal University.
‘‘They know it’s a no show, so they’ll address the voters,’’ he said.
As a result, issues like transportation, student loans, and climate change aren’t addressed by the parties.
“The issues important to young people don’t get the headlines and the place in the campaign they deserve,” Taras said.
There have been positive signs of late.
Vote mobs spread across the country during last spring’s federal election.Though, Taras noted the upcoming election falls during exams.
