Youth vote way up, says Elections Canada
Last Updated: Friday, October 22, 2004 | 11:58 AM ET
CBC News
- INDEPTH: Student Vote 2004
Just over 38 per cent of voters aged 18-30 cast ballots, compared with 25 per cent in the 2000 election, according to the agency's report on the 38th general election, presented to the House of Commons Thursday.
Elections Canada credits the increase with a vigorous get-out-the-vote campaign, aimed at the disaffected young.
The agency hosted national forums on the subject and launched an advertising campaign designed to get young people out to vote. In the run-up to the election, it sent letters directly to 1.1 million people who had recently turned 18, informing them of their right to vote.
- FROM JUNE 30, 2004: Voter turnout lowest since Confederation
It identified 300,000 eligible but unregistered voters, sent them applications and managed to add 50,000 young people to the voter list.
A number of non-governmental organizations also undertook projects to raise young voters' awareness about the importance of voting.
The Elections Canada report also noted that overall voter turnout for the June 28 election was 60.9 per cent, down slightly from 61.2 per cent in 2000. This despite the fact the 2004 election was one of the closest in recent history.
