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VICTORIA — Advocates of changing the provincial electoral system to proportional representation are hoping to mobilize young voters to tip the scales in the referendum.

The “Pro Rep Is Lit” campaign started this week on 10 university and college campuses, where volunteers are plastering walls with posters and handing out buttons and literature at campus tables.

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The idea — an offshoot of the official Vote PR B.C. campaign — is to tap into a group that could have a huge influence if motivated to vote.

“I think that would incredibly powerful, it would be incredibly exciting, it would only prove youth voter turnout has been on the rise the past few years and debunk those myths older generations have been saying that young people are apathetic and too lazy,” said Simka Marshall, a 25-year-old student at Douglas College and the campaign’s field coordinator.

“When it comes down to having these conversations with these folks on campus, it’s not like young people don’t want to be engaged. They are looking for that engagement and that’s why I see this pro-rep campaign as having a very crucial role to play in simply providing that information to them.”