Speed dating meets civic politics on campus
by Zoey Duncan
Rarely do romance and municipal affairs overlap, but this fall, they will come very close. On Oct. 4, mayoral candidates will gather on the second floor of Wyckham House to meet with students face-to-face in a quick and casual speed-date-like setting. Candidates will be available to chat with students for about 90 seconds each — about enough time to ask and answer a single question.
Though the time together will be brief — and there will be no candlelight or wine — Melnyk said it will be an unusual opportunity for students. “[We’ll see] how many people are able to make a connection.” Other election events will include a Ward 11 debate and ad- vance polling stations on Oct. 6 and 12. Melnyk has been advocating to make it easier for non-local students to vote. Presently, students without a permanent address in Calgary are able to vote for a mayor, but not an alderman.
Students with identification stating a Calgary address, or identification and a piece of mail to their Calgary address, should be able to register to vote, Melnyk said. Students’ Association vice-president external Megan Melnyk said that the idea came about while brainstorming this summer with other student executives from around the province.
“It would be a gong show to try and do a mayoral debate,” said Melnyk, referring to the 19 people now running for the mayor’s seat.
