Canada Global(Web News)Montreal University students are juggling multiple priorities: final projects, studying for exams and now, with Election Day just two weeks away, finding time to vote. Elections Canada is working to reach young voters where they are. Polling stations have been set up on more than 100 campuses across the country, open from April 13 to April 16.
“Students on campus are in the middle of finals right now, and I can see the excuse that they don’t have enough time to vote and being on campus doesn’t give them that excuse,” said Adam, a student at Concordia University.
Historically, people aged 18 to 24 have had the lowest voter turnout – just 46.7 per cent participated in the 2021 federal election, while the overall turnout was 62.2 per cent. However, there has been an upward trend: in 2011, only 38.8 per cent of young voters exercised their right to vote.
Removing barriers to voting is important. Since 2015, Elections Canada has organized the Vote on Campus program to make it easier for students to participate.
Florence Ryan, media advisor for Elections Canada, said the program was designed to reduce barriers to access to voting this year.
Voting is done by special ballot – it is blank and Voters write in their candidate’s name – thus, students whose residence is outside of where they go to school can vote for the candidate in their riding. A list of candidates in their riding is available upon request.