HALIFAX – With just over two weeks to go in this federal election campaign, Canadians are making some careful decisions, especially first-time voters.
The stakes are high for students; their election issues are specific but not always addressed by the candidates vying for their votes.
And getting young people to the ballot box can be a challenge.
“I think this is possibly the most important election that any student could start voting in,” said Kate Ashwood, a University of King’s College student and first-time voter.
“I haven’t been able to go to a candidate meeting yet, but I have watched every single debate thus far and I’ve live Tweeted and I’ve tried to be as engaged as one can be.”
Ashwood says there was no question she would vote in this election, but admits not all fellow students are equally engaged.
The demographic has seen historically low voter turnout rates. In the past four elections, voter turnout in general has hovered around the 60 per cent mark. However, for those aged 18 to 24, the rate is substantially lower. In the 2011 election, only 38.8 per cent cast a ballot.
Despite the statistics, students consider themselves far from apathetic.
Second-year women’s studies student Heidi Vandersten says she’s interested in politics, especially when it comes to student issues, including tuition fees and employment opportunities.
“There was a peaceful marching that we did last year and I was a part of that,” she said.
“I think it made everyone aware that we care — everyone else in Halifax. People were watching us and going, “whoa, what? They actually care about politics? Who knew?”‘
To capitalize on that engagement, student groups are taking notice and encouraging more young people to actually head to the polls.
The Canadian Federation of Students has set up information booths and recently collaborated on an all-candidate forum. Next week, early voting stations will be set up at select campuses so students can cast a ballot for any riding in the country.
“The stakes have never been higher for students as student debt is sky rocketing in this country and the levels of youth underemployment are higher than ever,” said Michaela Sam, the chairperson of the Federation’s Nova Scotia branch.
“So ultimately, students are very excited to go to the polls in this election and show that students can really be the game changers this October.”
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