Meet the man trying to get marginalized voters to the polls in Vancouver

Paul Hendren has been walking the sidewalks of the Downtown Eastside since Junetrying to convince everyone he meets to vote.

But it's not an easy jobfor theCity of Vancouver's election outreach staffer.

"Some people have a lot going on with their lives and when they tell you their stories you understand whyit's hard to prioritize voting over your immediate needs,"Hendrensaid in between handing out voter information booklets inOppenheimer Park.

For the first time the cityhas added homeless shelters and social service drop-in centres to the list of voting locations.

It hopes that the pop-up mobile centresreach populations that are often marginalized.

"I think what is great about this new system is that people can vote in the place that they are comfortable in andwhere theyalreadyknow thestaff, so there is thatlevel of trust," Henderson said.

In May, the City of Vancouver updated its election bylawto allowvotingat specialvotingfacilities,such as hospitals and long-term care centres. It now includes smaller facilities, such asshelters anddrop-in centres includingthe field house in Oppenheimer Park.

It brings the total number of specialvotingfacilities to 90, upfrom 51 in the 2014 election.

Breaking barriers

For Hendren, it means including neighbourhoods with lower voter turnout.

"Downtown and Strathcona had a lower voter turnout than other areas [in the last election]," he said.

"Some of the reasons that peopledon't vote includea lack of information or that it can be too confusing," he added.

Another barrier in the past has been that eligible voters who are homeless may not havethe right Identificationbecausetheyneeded to havea fixed address.

The citynow allows people with nofixed addressto sign a declaration form that includes the address of the shelter where they live.

Giving a voice and perspective

For those who live and work in the Downtown Eastside, voting in a municipal election lets them support candidates who recognize the complex issues in their neighbourhood.

"Often times peopleimmediately say there is a glaring housing issue, but it's not just housing, some people here need more than housing, they need to be cared for," said Bob Pearson who works at a community centrein the area.

Hendren is quick to flip open the election booklet and dog ear a page that shows candidate profiles and another showing which voting stations are open on which days.

"I really hope that people feel like they can change the system by getting involved," Hendren said.

Advanced voting begins today in 12 locations and various mobile stations, depending on the day.

CBC is hosting a Vancouvermayoral debate on Oct.17. It airs live on Radio One at 9:05 a.m. on The Early Edition and will also be live-streamed on our website and on our Facebook page.

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