Thompson Rivers University students have successfully lobbied to vote on campus — if only during advance polling.

From May 6 to 8, B.C. election advance polling stations will be positioned at the campus thanks to the efforts of TRU’s Student Union.

TRUSU has been “very active” in getting the students on campus involved in the election, said Doug Gibson, district electoral officer for Kamloops-South Thompson.

The university’s population justifies additional polling stations even though the traditional school year will be out at that point, he said.

“The numbers are there. There’s 2,500 to 3,000 students there through the summer.”

TRUSU president Dustin McIntyre said the Vote Education campaign has two goals.

“Making sure people know how, where, and when they can vote this May and making sure people consider what has happened regarding post-secondary education when they go to the polls.” 

The union has also attracted the attention of B.C.’s chief electoral officer.

Dr. Keith Archer will spend part of the day at the university on Wednesday to make a one-hour presentation and answer questions at the newly installed registration table organized to sign up young voters.

A registration table will be set up at the campus Residence and Conference Centre building today and at the Campus Activity Centre on Wednesday.

Elections B.C. is also reaching out to ethnic groups in Kamloops this week.

On Wednesday afternoon Archer heads to the Kamloops Immigrant Society to make another one-hour presentation.

“It’s an effort to reach out to ethnic groups, native groups and students to encourage them to get involved in the election,” said Gibson.

Reaching out to ethnic groups is not so much an effort to boost voter numbers among that demographic as just having a dialogue, said Gibson. The ethnic presence at polling stations is already quite high.

“Immigrants traditionally really do exercise the voting process much more so than (Canadian born) voters.”