Youth voters have long been underrepresented at the polls. Usually, it is taken as a sign of
\nteenage apathy. However, voter turnout statistics don\u2019t show the many nuances and factors
\nthat affect how young people participate in politics.<\/p>\n
According to a study by Elections Canada<\/a>, only 53 per cent of voters aged 18 to 24 cast a Moreover, this decline in youth voters can be observed across the generations. According to The significance of these numbers is that voting, as a 2016 policy brief<\/a> commissioned by the Elections Canada offers a potential solution to the falling youth voter stats. The Vote on The program made it more convenient for busy students to vote in the election. The program was cancelled for the 2021 election. There were two reasons for this: One, the Elections Canada stated in an email, concerning the Vote On Campus program:<\/p>\n \u201cIt has never been delivered in a minority government context, where no clear dates can be provided to The second is the pandemic. The program would take up much-needed space for social Time constraints are a significant challenge for younger voters. Data gathered from Statistics<\/a> Then again, time is only one of the many barriers discouraging youth from voting.<\/p>\n A third-year media studies student, Megan Tranpham did not vote in the 2019 election or the 2021 election. She says that it’s due to a lack of information. She says she feels like the elections are poorly promoted and finds it hard to find accessible information on what the issues are. Statistics seem to support this. Numbers obtained from Statistics Canada<\/a> reveal that during the 2011 election one in six survey participants state feeling uninformed about Canadian politics.<\/p>\n Tranpham notes that for her, at least, much of her political knowledge comes second hand Social algorithms, systems that carefully curate what appears in user feeds, can contribute to
\nballot during the 2019 election. In contrast, roughly 79.1 per cent of seniors aged 65 to 74
\nvoted in the same year.<\/p>\n
\nElections Canada<\/a>, the number of young people voting has been decreasing steadily. From
\nyouth voter turnout of 76 per cent from before 1980 and reaching its lowest point at 59 per
\ncent in 2008.<\/p>\n
\nCanadian government discusses, is habitual. Those who begin voting younger tend to retain
\nthe habit as they age. Consequently, low youth voting numbers could indicate a slow decline
\nin voter turnout statistics in future elections.<\/p>\n
\nCampus program<\/a> was a project developed by Elections Canada for the 2015 election to make
\nvoting easier on students. Voting centres were set up in post-secondary campuses that
\nallowed students to fill out special ballots. These ballots were designed for those voting
\noutside their riding.<\/p>\n
\nThe jump in youth voter turnout numbers between the 2011 and 2015 elections can partly be
\nattributed to that program. The statistics rose from 61.1 to 68.3 per cent.<\/p>\n
\nprogram has traditionally been organized under a majority government. This year, operating
\nunder a minority government has made scheduling difficult. Booking the needed space so last
\nminute would result in a number of conflicts and cancellations.<\/p>\n
\ncampus administrators.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n
\ndistancing. So for safety reasons, it could not be offered this year.<\/p>\n
\nCanada reported that during the 2011 election, roughly 12 per cent of young voters reported
\nbeing too busy to cast a ballot. With 8 per cent attributing it to work and school conflicts.<\/p>\n
\nfrom her parents. Who consume more traditional news sources, such as broadcast TV,
\nsources that she rarely frequents. She adds that while social media can be another source of
\npolitical news, she rarely comes across it in her feeds.<\/p>\n
\npolitical unawareness. As those who are already disinterested are unlikely to come across any
\ninformation or news about elections.<\/p>\n