By Kendall Robertson

Young People Showing Low Turnout At The Polls

Mar 13, 2018 | 3:08 PM

PRINCE GEORGE- Elections BC shows only 56% of 18 to 24-year-olds voted in the last provincial election, and the lowest voter turnout was amongst 24 to 35-year-olds. With two potential voting opportunities later this year, the focus has been renewed to get more young people to the polls. UNBC students in political science are hoping to get all ages engaged in the upcoming electoral reform referendum by creating a poll for one of their classes. “Electoral reform is a key issue right now for British Columbians, we’re looking to have more people understand the voting systems,” said political science student, Saje Gosal, “we’re the voters of the next generation, so it’s important that there is that civic engagement in youth.”

The leader of the BC Greens, Andrew Weaver, is also hoping to get more young people involved in BC politics as he introduced his third bill in the legislature today to lower the voting age to 16. That may help to encourage more voters in civic elections. Prince George had a 34% turnout in all voters in the last municipal election.  “For us, getting a good turnout for local government in elections is critical, we want to get more people involved,” said Federation of Canadian Municipalities second vice-president, Garth Frizzell.  The FCM also wants to see more young people run for elected positions.