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Research on Electoral Participation

Barriers to Voting

To address barriers to voting, Elections Canada looks at post-election surveys we conducted, as well as research on participation and democratic engagement. We also have ongoing consultations and relationships with various stakeholder groups.

This section presents results from the 2019 National Electors Study, which had the aim of providing a better understanding of the barriers that some groups of electors may face when voting in federal elections.

Results from a supplement to Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey that was commissioned by Elections Canada, from a study of on-reserve voter turnout, and from the voter turnout by age and gender study are also considered where applicable.

The results show that these groups of electors still face significant barriers to voting in federal elections.

For more information on what Elections Canada is doing to address barriers to voting, go to our Voters page.

Go to Inspire Democracy to learn more about how Elections Canada and our network of stakeholder organizations are working together to address some of the barriers to getting involved in elections.

Further studies on electoral participation

Here are links to studies on the electoral participation of various groups.

General

Indigenous electors

Elections Canada published Electoral Insight magazine from 1999 to 2006 as a forum for discussion about the electoral process and related matters.

Electors with disabilities

Elections Canada published Electoral Insight magazine from 1999 to 2006 as a forum for discussion about the electoral process and related matters.

Senior electors

First-time voters – youth electors

Elections Canada published Electoral Insight magazine from 1999 to 2006 as a forum for discussion about the electoral process and related matters.

Visit Elections Canada'sInspire Democracy website for other research and tools on youth participation.

First-time voters – new Canadians

Elections Canada published Electoral Insight magazine from 1999 to 2006 as a forum for discussion about the electoral process and related matters:

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