SCOOP: The Liberal kids aren't alright

And memo to New Democrats

ABOVE THE FOLD

First in Observer — BY THE NUMBERS — As the clock winds down to the Liberal leadership race, local riding associations are gearing up to run the vote — and the numbers aren’t looking so hot when it comes to student electors, who have more sway.

Why it matters: Student clubs got an extended deadline to sign up party members who will get a direct vote in the leadership contest next month. They’re also disproportionately weighted under the new points system, and will therefore get more say: Each riding association will be allotted 100 points, which will be doled out to the candidates based on the proportion of votes they receive. Student clubs get 50 points and women’s clubs get 5 points.

I got my hands on a planning document that SIMON TUNSTALL — the Liberals’ longtime chief returning officer for leadership contests — sent to the riding association presidents in order to help them prepare for the “estimated voter turnout.”

By the numbers: At most, there are 440 signups fo…