Tax season is a great opportunity for young Canadians to register as future voters. It’s as simple as checking a few boxes on their tax form. Teachers can play an important role in helping their students understand why registration matters and how easy it is to get started.
Check the boxes
The Register of Future Electors is for Canadian youth aged 14 to 17 who choose to sign up. One of the simplest ways for them to get on this register is to check “Yes” in the Elections Canada section on their tax form.
When they turn 18, they’ll be added to the National Register of Electors. This means that they’ll be ready to vote in federal elections.
Signing up is easy and secure. Personal information in the Register (name, address, date of birth and citizenship) is kept confidential and is protected under the Canada Elections Act and the Privacy Act.
Outside of tax season? Students can apply online to the Register of Future Electors at any time of the year.
How teachers can help
Registration is voluntary. Teachers can take simple steps to make sure their students know about the Register of Future Electors and how it works:
- Introduce registration options when teaching financial literacy: If you already teach students how to complete a tax form, explain that citizens aged 14 to 17 can check “Yes” to get on the Register of Future Electors.
- Integrate registration into your civics lessons: If you use Elections Canada’s learning resources, tie in that students can register as a future elector when filing their taxes. This gives them a real-world way to apply what they’ve learned in class and start engaging in the democratic process even before they turn 18.
- Share information widely: Parents or guardians often fill out their children’s tax form. If you have the opportunity, tell them about the Register.
Why it matters
Voting is a learned habit. Research tells us that those who vote in the first election in which they’re able to are likely to become lifelong voters. Those who don’t are unlikely to pick up the habit later in life.
Registering as a future elector makes it easier for young Canadians to participate in their first federal election, setting them up for a lifetime of engaged citizenship.