Hack the vote
American anthropologist
Margaret Mead once said, “Never
doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world; indeed, it's the
only thing that ever has.”
It seems that London's Hack the Vote group is taking this message to heart.
The group formed after ChangeCamp back in June, an event where Londoners got together to discuss civic change.
One of the key topics was youth engagement and general civic engagement for the upcoming election.
Shawn Adamsson, one of the three founders of local information technology company rtraction, met with 379 media and arts collective and started “kicking ideas around,” said Adamsson.
While the group has no organized structure and no one formally in charge, they've already prepared themselves for the upcoming election season.
They've been working with GenNext of London, as well as Emerging Leaders and ENGAGE! London in developing upcoming events.
Part of these events include free small concerts throughout the city featuring local artists to help encourage people to get out to the polls, as well as scheduling some all-candidate meetings.
But while voters can expect the traditional Q&A at some of these meetings, Hack the Vote is also looking to shake things up a bit.
Inspired by VoteTO's “So You Think You Can Council?” Hack the Vote wants to implement a similar game show-like meeting for London's candidates. There will be a Price Is Right-style game to demonstrate candidates' knowledge of the numbers involved in running the city, as well as a location- based quiz and a game to see what kind of grasp candidates have on the city's pulse, similar to Family Feud.
“We want to take (the candidates) out of their comfort zone,” said Adamsson, adding that they will be working in teams, which means they may be working with their opponents. Hack the Vote hopes to webcast the meeting as well.
The day of the election will offer different tactics, such as guerillastyle marketing, “doing whatever we can to get people out,” said Adamsson. This includes offering rides to the polls. They are also looking at a system the University of Western Ontario's Student Council implemented, which involved sending mail to students so they'd have something to show in order to vote. Hack the Vote has representatives from both Fanshawe and UWO to develop ways of reaching students.
The group's goal, in addition to getting people out to vote, is to encourage more engagement in the city.
“We're working together for the betterment of the city, we're not looking for lines on a resume,” he said. “We're bleeding talent (in London) left, right and centre, and we need to reverse that. We're tired of talented people leaving the community because they can't find jobs.”
In terms of getting the word out, Hack the Vote is mainly marketing online. “There are no heavy pockets, it's very grassroots.” Those interested in learning more and seeing their upcoming events can check them out on Twitter at @votehack or at http://www.hackthevote.ca. Want to volunteer? Contact getinvolved@hackthevote.ca.
It seems that London's Hack the Vote group is taking this message to heart.
The group formed after ChangeCamp back in June, an event where Londoners got together to discuss civic change.
One of the key topics was youth engagement and general civic engagement for the upcoming election.
Shawn Adamsson, one of the three founders of local information technology company rtraction, met with 379 media and arts collective and started “kicking ideas around,” said Adamsson.
While the group has no organized structure and no one formally in charge, they've already prepared themselves for the upcoming election season.
They've been working with GenNext of London, as well as Emerging Leaders and ENGAGE! London in developing upcoming events.
Part of these events include free small concerts throughout the city featuring local artists to help encourage people to get out to the polls, as well as scheduling some all-candidate meetings.
But while voters can expect the traditional Q&A at some of these meetings, Hack the Vote is also looking to shake things up a bit.
Inspired by VoteTO's “So You Think You Can Council?” Hack the Vote wants to implement a similar game show-like meeting for London's candidates. There will be a Price Is Right-style game to demonstrate candidates' knowledge of the numbers involved in running the city, as well as a location- based quiz and a game to see what kind of grasp candidates have on the city's pulse, similar to Family Feud.
“We want to take (the candidates) out of their comfort zone,” said Adamsson, adding that they will be working in teams, which means they may be working with their opponents. Hack the Vote hopes to webcast the meeting as well.
The day of the election will offer different tactics, such as guerillastyle marketing, “doing whatever we can to get people out,” said Adamsson. This includes offering rides to the polls. They are also looking at a system the University of Western Ontario's Student Council implemented, which involved sending mail to students so they'd have something to show in order to vote. Hack the Vote has representatives from both Fanshawe and UWO to develop ways of reaching students.
The group's goal, in addition to getting people out to vote, is to encourage more engagement in the city.
“We're working together for the betterment of the city, we're not looking for lines on a resume,” he said. “We're bleeding talent (in London) left, right and centre, and we need to reverse that. We're tired of talented people leaving the community because they can't find jobs.”
In terms of getting the word out, Hack the Vote is mainly marketing online. “There are no heavy pockets, it's very grassroots.” Those interested in learning more and seeing their upcoming events can check them out on Twitter at @votehack or at http://www.hackthevote.ca. Want to volunteer? Contact getinvolved@hackthevote.ca.
