VPSN launches Vancouver Votes website as an independent election resource for voters

As Vancouverites prepare to head to the polls this fall, residents seeking information about the civic election can turn to a new online resource – www.vancouvervotes.ca.

Launched this week by the VPSN as a non-partisan information source, the Vancouver Votes website will assist voters by introducing the candidates for Mayor, Council, and Parks Board, and highlighting their respective positions on a range of civic issues. The site will also provide general information on the electoral process and regularly updated links to election-related media coverage.

“Our goal with this site is to help Vancouverites make an informed decision on November 19,” said Anthony Hamilton, coordinator of the VPSN’s democratic spaces working group. “By offering an independent source of information on the election, we hope to encourage broad citizen participation in the electoral process.”

Over the course of the campaign, Vancouver Votes will release the responses to survey questions submitted to each candidate. This will give voters the chance to compare candidate positions across a broad range of issues.

The 2011 campaign marks the return of the Vancouver Votes website, which debuted to an enthusiastic response during the 2008 election.

As part of its election-season activities, the VPSN will host “Last Candidate Standing,” an all-candidates debate with a twist, on Saturday, Oct. 29. Unlike traditional debates that focus only on the front-runners, every candidate for Mayor and Council will be invited to field questions from a panel of local media experts. In between rounds, musicians and performance artists will take the stage for a series of creative interludes. More information is available on the Vancouver Votes website.

Vancouver Votes is also on Twitter (@vanvotes) and will be tweeting throughout the campaign. Join the conversation by tagging your tweets with the hashtag: #vanelxn

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