Loyalist College Student Government offers cash prize for votes

By Sarah Yannetta

Loyalist College’s student government winter election gives students the chance to win $500.

Full-time students who vote are entered to win a draw for $500.

Student Government Office Manager Nancy Simpson said they want student body participation and offering a cash prize works best to get a larger voter turnout because most students need that money.

Simpson said the $500 prizes come out of their budget, but couldn’t say more. Business Manager Julie Cooper was not available to explain where the money comes from.

An informal poll conducted Thursday by QNet News showed that 26 out of 34 people wouldn’t vote without the incentive and 28 people didn’t vote.

Social services student Jamie Potter said that student government doesn’t make themselves prominent enough during an election. They don’t have enough presence in the college.

Simpson said the student government presents every pub night at The Shark Tank and smaller events through the year.

Simpson said last year’s elections had eight and 12 per cent voter turnout, which is about average with the cash prize.

This election’s voting ends today at 4 p.m.