According to last summer’s Elections Canada study, the 2000 Federal Election saw the lowest young voter turnout in the history of our country: only 25% of the eligible young voters aged 18-25 cast a vote. The reasons are endless: lack of interest in political matters, lack of information and awareness about our political system, frustration with the distortion of votes into seats, and last but not least: cynicism about political parties and politicians in general. Despite this general negativity, however, many believe that this upcoming election will see more positive results.

“Students have demonstrated that our voices are heard,” said U of T Graduate Students Union VP Arij Al Chawaf. “In 1995 students successfully mobilized against the federal government’s plan to implement a regressive scheme – the Income Contingency Loan Repayment Plan (ICLRP). When together students lobbied the provincial government, we won a tuition fee freeze.”

Al Chawaf says that by voting students send a strong message to elected representatives: “We must be involved in how we as students want our issues addressed rather than leaving those issues up to the whims of politicians.

“I think young voter turnout will increase this year, as will turnout for voters of all ages,” said Sam Rahimi, VP External on the Student Administrative Council. “This is the first federal election in years where the outcome is not a foregone conclusion. The fact that there is no obvious winner at this stage means that youth (and others) will feel that their vote can make a difference.”

Much Music last week held its own event to draw young people closer to the voting polls with a special hour long interview with NDP candidate Jack Layton (it was originally planned to include Stephen Harper and Paul Martin as well, but they did not respond). Layton said that “the first thing to do is to start [reinvesting] in education…Reducing tuition is key. Otherwise people drop out of the system, can’t afford it and end up in debt. Why take down the national debt only to put it on our youngest and brightest who are just trying to get going? That is wrong.” This statement was met with passionate applause and excited yells and whistles from the audience.

Rahimi had one message for young voters: “Learn about the issues, learn about the parties, get on the voter’s list, and vote on June 28th!”