ROMI LEVINE
NEWS REPORTER
More than 20 candidates are looking to take over David Miller’s job as mayor of Toronto this October, and they’re making it clear that a lot of their energy is focused on winning the student vote.
Mayoral frontrunners are using new strategies to reach out to post-secondary students in order to gain their acceptance and trust.
Councillor, candidate for mayor, and Humber graduate Giorgio Mammoliti, said he wants to take a more hands-on approach to his campaign.
“I think you’ll probably see my campaign going directly into the schools, assuming the administration will allow that to happen,” he said.
Former Liberal party national director, Rocco Rossi, who is also running for mayor, said he is open to the idea of on-campus promotions.
“I would be delighted if there are opportunities to speak and interact and debate,” he said. “There will be a lot of issues that I think are important for students to weigh in on.”
Media relation’s professor in the public relations program at Humber, Kalene Morgan said a debate on the campus has great potential to involve students in the political process.
Contenders are also embracing online communities like Twitter and Facebook to connect with voters.
“I think there’s no question that technology gives us the potential for far more interaction,” said Rossi.
Morgan said candidates bringing their campaigns online where young voters are networking, is a smart move, but the best way to reach students is through face-to-face communication.
It will help hopefuls address the problems with low voter turnout among the college age group, she said.
Both Mammoliti and Rossi see the value in engaging students in discussions related to their city.
“Students have a huge contribution to the city, now more than ever,” Mammoliti said.
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