Resources+Page

**Resources Used**
The Dominion Institute

Youth Election study part I : September 17th 2008
 * Two thirds of young Canadians would vote for Obama if they could

Youth Election Study part II: September 24th 2008
 * Young voters aged 18-25 who said they were going to vote is down 7% from the last election
 * Three quarters of young Canadians report being concerned about the low young voter turn out
 * Only 10% feel that their vote does not matter
 * Less than 44% of voters under 24 will actually cast a ballot on the last federal election
 * Ways to Increase youth voter turn out
 * Parents and families talk to kids about politics:
 * When talking about politics, emphasize it is a duty not a choice
 * High schools should have a mandatory course in civics
 * Political parties need to reach out to young voters

Youth Election Study part III: October 1st 2008
 * Those voting are doing it because its their responsibility and duty
 * Those that aren’t voting say it’s because they don’t know enough
 * Young Canadians that discuss politics are three times more likely to vote than those that do not
 * Young Canadians that feel it is a duty are twice as likely to vote as those that feel it’s a choice
 * Young Canadians that took a civic course in high school are 10% more likely to vote than those that didn’t.

Willing to Participate: Political Engagement of Young Adults
 * Young adults are often viewed as uninterested in political activity
 * 59% of the young population (ages 18-25) voted in 2003

Reasons why youth do not vote:
 * Tuned out of the political process
 * Lacking the ability to get involved
 * Lacking the motivation to get involved
 * Less aware of the relevance of elections
 * Feel marginalized from mainstream political discourse
 * Interested in political issues but wary of politicians and feel disconnected

Elections
 * From 2006 to 2008 there was a 5% drop in votes
 * From November 21st 1988 to October 14th 2008 there was a 15% drop in votes

Voter Turnout in Canada Possible Causes of Lower Voter Turnout:
 * Timing of election
 * Long period of one-party dominance

Research of non-participation: Youth (ages 18-25) are most likely to not vote because
 * They are just not interested
 * Didn’t like parties/candidates
 * Vote wouldn’t matter
 * Didn’t care about issues
 * Busy at work
 * Out of town
 * Didn’t know where or when
 * Not on the list
 * Too many elections
 * Illness