Frustrated by the apathy and ignorance of their generation when it comes to voting at elections, three, young Richmond friends decided to take matters into their own hands.
So, Daniel Ribi, Milica Komad and Alex Lund-Murray put their collective political heads together and came up with a cunning plan — invite everyone to the pub for a free drink.
After working out a deal with their local watering hole, Ceili’s on Westminster Highway, Ribi, Lund-Murray and Komad set up a Facebook event page called “Drinks for Democracy,” in a bid to light a fire under the backsides of 18-25-year-olds.
Since setting up the page a few weeks ago, they’ve had hundreds of expressions of interest, with at least 40 committing to vote on Oct. 19 and meeting in the pub afterwards to collect their “reward.”
“We sent out about 300 invitations through the Facebook page, so we’re hopeful of getting a good turnout,” said Lund-Murray, 21, who’s on a gap year from studying, unsurprisingly, political science, and is preparing to teach English in Colombia before travelling through South America.
“We’re all pretty interested in politics and have been following the election closely.
“In previous elections, the 18-25 age range doesn’t get out to vote and we were trying to think of a way to get people around our age more excited about the election and maybe have a closer look at what every party is offering.
“So, we thought having something at a bar would be a good start for this age group.”
The invite is open to anyone and all voters have to do to get a free beverage is take a photo, perhaps a selfie, outside their polling station or retain some of their voter’s information card, if possible, after making their mark.
Once they show up at Ceili’s, from 8:30 p.m. onwards (the polls close at 7 p.m.), and hand over their “evidence,” they can claim their beverage from the organizers.
Ribi, 23, in his last year at UBC, doing a double honours major in history and international relations, and Komad, 23, who has just graduated from UBC with a degree in English literature, are both Richmond High 2010 grads.
While Komad and Lund-Murray know each other through working at the Boathouse in Richmond together.
What they all have in common, however, is a love of immersing themselves in the world of politics.
“It’s just really ignorant not to inform yourself of such an important thing,” said Lund-Murray.
“There are life-changing decisions at stake. But it seems, in my circles anyway, there are a lot more people excited about this election than any other, so hopefully that translates into more young people voting.
“On Monday though, I’d just like to see people come along, hang out and watch the results come in.”
Mark Reid, Ceili’s Richmond owner/operator, said he was happy to jump on board the election bandwagon when approached by the trio.
“We’re doing our bit to help get more people out to vote and get them in for a post-polls pint,” said Reid.
“We’ll have Monday Night Football on, as well, so it could be a busy night.”
