Why Should I Vote?

Why is it important to vote?

• The right to vote is a fundamental democratic right that is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is the cornerstone of democracy.
• When we vote, we choose the representatives who will make the laws and policies that govern how we live together.
• The legitimacy of a government lies in the fact that it is elected. Low voter turnouts may call into question this democratic legitimacy.
• While democracy involves much more than holding elections every five years, voting is a powerful way to send a message to governments and politicians. The more votes, the more powerful the message is. In other words, every vote counts.
• Compared to other forms of political participation, voting does not require a lot of time or effort – in other words, it is one of the easiest ways to have a say in how your society is governed.

Why is the youth vote important?

• According to our research , only 37.4% of 18 to 24-year-olds voted at the 2008 general election. That means over 60% of young Canadians did not participate in selecting this country's government.
• When politicians know in advance that most young people don't vote, they may be less interested in making the effort to be responsive to issues that matter to younger Canadians.
• Some say that young people don't vote because politicians don't care about youth issues or don't talk to young people in their own language. But by not voting, young Canadians lose an important opportunity to make their voices heard by politicians.