2. LOW VOTER TURNOUT
Canada, like many democracies around the world, has faced a clear decline in voter participation over the last 30 years.
Here is a snapshot of voter turnout statistics from few of elections at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.
Are election results credible if voter turnout is less than 50%? 2

3. Voter turnout statistics for BC provincial elections3

4. More concerning is the fact that low voter turnout tends to be most often disproportionately concentrated among young people.

5. When you look at voter turnout rates by age group it also demonstrates a troubling picture.
Each new generation is voting less than the first. In 1965, about two thirds of first-time electors voted in their first election and by 2004, that number had fallen to just over one-third.

6. This has serious implications for the future of our democracy, as research suggests that habits of voting and non-voting persist over time, and one of the best predictors of individual turnout is whether a person voted in the previous election.

7. INVESTIGATING THE REASONS
Elections Canada commissioned the first National Youth Survey (NYS) following the 2011 federal election to better understand the reasons why youth may or may not participate in the electoral process. A follow up was conducted following the October 2015 federal general election.
Elections Canada has commissioned research to investigate the reasons why youth may or may not participate in the electoral process. The first study was conducted in relation to the 2011 federal election, when 39% of youth voted.

8. The National Youth Study described two sets of barriers:
Motivational factors (knowledge, interest and attitudes) – Getting to the door
Access barriers (administrative reasons) – getting through the door
In the end, motivational factors mattered the most.

9. There are five main motivational factors that present barriers to voting
Lack of interest in politics
Lack of knowledge and understanding of politics
A belief that all parties were the same
A belief that no party spoke to issues that youth care about
Low sense of civic duty or appreciation for voting

10. Access barriers include:
Not knowing when, where and how to vote (knowledge)
Not having sufficient ID
Getting to the polling station
Accessibility at the polling station
Language or literacy issues

11. This research helped to develop a profile of “Young Voters” and “Young Non-Voters”

12. THE VALUE OF CIVIC EDUCATION
In the 2015 National Youth Survey, young people who voted were much more likely to say…
They learned about government and politics in high school (65% voters vs 46% of non-voters)
Participated in a mock election, such as Student Vote (49% voters vs 39% non-voters)
The 2015 National Youth Study confirmed the importance of civic education.
There were two key findings:
Young voters were more likely to say that they learned about government and politics in school – 65% compared to 46% of non-voters
Young voters were more likely to say they participated in a mock election, such as Student Vote – 49% compared to 39% of non-voters

13. A TURNING POINT POSTIVE TRENDS
Voter turnout in 2015 was the highest it has been since 1993 and youth had the largest increase to date (since data collection).
Voter turnout in 2015 was the highest it has been since 1993 – 68% up from 61% in 2011.
Specifically, youth had the largest increase to date (since they have been collecting data by age group) – 57% of young voters cast ballot.
Of course there are other likely contributing factors to the increase in voter turnout, such as a “change” election, the results suggest a possible turning point and help validate the work and effort to encourage electoral participation.

18. BOOTCAMP: IMPACT ANALYSIS
METRIC
ATTENDEES
NON-ATTENDEES
Registered for Student Vote
98%
65%
Submitted election results
96%
90%
Average participants per school
237
154
Engaged 3 or more colleagues*
49%
34%
Dedicated 10+ hours in the classroom*
53%
41%

24. Please feel free to use and reproduce freely for non-profit and educational purposes.