Voting is a learned habit. Research tells us that those who vote in the first election in which they are eligible to are likely to become lifelong voters. Teachers can help their students become future electors by showing them simple ways to participate in elections.
Read more about youth voting trends in Canada.
The Register of Future Electors
Canadian citizens who are between 14 and 17 years old can be added to Elections Canada’s Register of Future Electors. The information it contains (name, address, date of birth and citizenship) is kept confidential.
When those registered turn 18, their information will be added to the National Register of Electors. This way, they will already be registered and ready to vote in federal elections. They will receive a voter information card telling them where, when and the ways to vote in a federal election.
Want to know more? Visit Elections Canada’s Register of Future Electors page.
Check the boxes
One of the simplest ways to get on this register is for young Canadians to check “Yes” in the Elections Canada section on their tax form.
By checking “Yes,” they will have their name included on the Register of Future Electors. They are then added into the National Register of Electors when they turn 18.
Here’s how to check the boxes.
Curriculum links
Financial literacy is taught in many ways across Canada. If you already teach students how to complete a tax form, you can explain that citizens under the age of 18 can check “Yes” to get on the Register of Future Electors. You can also inform their parents, as they often fill out their children’s tax form.
If you use Elections Canada’s learning resources, you can explain to your students, as part of a lesson, that they can check “Yes” on their income tax form. This is a simple and effective way for students to engage in the democratic process before they turn 18 and get the information they need to vote in a federal election for the first time.
Privacy
The privacy of all information in the Register of Future Electors is protected by the Canada Elections Act and the Privacy Act. Elections Canada keeps the information in the register secure and uses it for authorized purposes only. Under the Canada Elections Act, future electors’ information cannot be shared with political parties, members of Parliament or candidates.