Approximately 100 students gathered in front of the University of Winnipeg campus yesterday for a vote mob, an event dedicated to promoting Canadian youth voting.

Formulated in response to Rick Mercer’s challenge to encourage Canada’s youth population to be more involved in the democratic process, the vote mob began at 12 noon.

Students rushed out of the school carrying signs that read, “I have a voice” and “I vote because I can.” Using chalk, students covered sidewalks near the campus with messages like “Voting is sexy” and “Apathy sucks.”

After marching and posing for photos, the group reconvened at the U of W quad to dance to music put on by DJ Co-Op.

Lauren Bosc, the incoming University of Winnipeg Students’ Association president, states that the Canadian youth vote is profoundly important.

“[Only] one in every three Canadian youths voted in the last federal election,” she said. “We are the next generation, we are what politicians should be worried about.”

Bosc said that Facebook has been instrumental in organizing the event.

“One of the problems with mobilizing people, especially after school and exams are over, is that no one is on campus,” she said. “Facebook helped to connect everyone that wanted to get involved.”

“ We are the youth of the heart of the country and we are voting. This is the message that Canada needs to hear.

Lauren Bosc, incoming University of Winnipeg Students’ Association president

Indeed, even students from University of Manitoba attended the event. Nick Humniski, a U of M science student, attended the rally out of disappointment with youth turnout in previous elections.

“Democracy is supposed to represent us all,” said Humniski. “If we are not all represented, this is not true democracy.”

Bosc states that the event ultimately reflects that students are engaged in the election.

“There have been 35 vote mobs across the country,” she said. “This shows that students care and are engaged.”

As well, Bosc urges that Winnipeg’s youth are prepared to incite political change.

“We are the youth of the heart of the country and we are voting,” said Bosc. “This is the message that Canada needs to hear.”

Part of yesterday’s action involved filming a video for YouTube. Here’s what Winnipeg vote mob organizers and participants came up with:

Unofficial Winnipeg vote mob video:

Vote mob footage from the Winnipeg Free Press:

Vote mob footage from The Manitoban: