'What the Heck is Electoral Reform' event set to inform young voters

Young Voters of PEI says they are working to get youth to vote in the upcoming plebiscite on electoral reform.

A special event called "What the Heck is Electoral Reform"will be held Sept. 26, in Charlottetown to help young people understand what electoral reform is about.

Co-founder Jesse Hitchcock said the group felt it was important to hold the event, consideringwhat's at stake for young people as the future ofthe Island'svoting system is decided. For the first time, 16 and 17-year-old Islanders will get to vote as well.

• Elections PEI adds 16- and 17-year-olds to voter registry
• Dates set for P.E.I. electoral reform vote

"Electoral reform, you know, it's going to change how we do elections here and in Canada if it passes. So I think it's just an important way for young people to shape how they're going to be participating in future elections for the rest of their lives."

Hitchcock said there will be politicians, elections officials and an academic at the event totalk about the plebiscite. They includeMLAs Jordan Brown and Peter Bevan-Baker, Taya Nabuurs from Elections PEI and Mark Greenan from the University of Ottawa.

As the event is at a bar, it will be 19+.

Islanders will be able to vote online and by phone from Oct. 29 toNov. 7 on the plebiscite.

In person voting will done Nov. 4 and Nov. 5.

More information on the What the Heck is Electoral Reform can be found on the Facebook event page.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |EI numbers continue to fluctuate on P.E.I.
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |Endless summer? P.E.I. basking in warm September