Stephen Harper app seeks to increase voter turnout in October 19 federal election

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      Steven Bryant wanted to help increase voter registration and turnout in this year’s October 19 federal election. So, he created an app for that.

      According to the North Vancouver man, the Stephen Harper app is free. There is no button asking for donations either.

      Named after the incumbent Conservative prime minister, the app has a link to Elections Canada so anyone who hasn’t registered to vote can do so.

      The app also features videos critical about Harper’s record in government. It provides users information on where the prime minister is campaigning in case users want to attend.

      “I’m completely neutral,” Bryant maintained in a phone interview with the Straight.

      “I don’t have connections with any of the parties,” Bryant also said. “The goal of the app isn’t to bash Stephen Harper. The goal of the app is to get people to register and vote.”

      In a related development, the Canadian Federation of Students - British Columbia has launched a plan to mobilize 10,000 students to vote for the first time next month.

      CFSBC spokesperson Jenelle Davies explained that the ‘ThisTimeWeDecide.ca’ initiative will have students sign a pledge card to vote, and will be reminded to head to the polls through social media and online engagement.

      “We’re a non-partisan organization. We don’t tell people who to vote for,” Davies told the Straight by phone.

      What CFSBC will do is tell students where to find the platforms of the different parties, especially on issues like tuition fees and student debt. Davies said: “Students really care about a multitude of issues, and so we’ll make sure that information is available in the least biased way possible.”

      Davies added: “Once you get somebody to vote once, they’re more likely to be a long-time voter.” 

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