The millennial vote: problems and solutions

Toronto's tastiest musical parade cra... It's time to talk about a new vision ...

The millennial vote: problems and solutions

(Credit: Theresa Thompson via Flickr, modified)

If you're in your 20s, you've heard the reasons why voting is important: it's our democratic right, one vote does make a difference and less than 40 per cent of eligible voters under the age of 30 voted in the last election -- and that's shameful.

Now there's one more important thing we millennials need to know: how to vote when it's become more difficult.

I was a student during the last federal election, and voting was as easy as bringing a student ID to campus. Now, with the government's Fair Elections Act, passed in June, students can't do this. Voter Information Cards can no longer be used as proof of address. And with the October 19 election happening near the start of a school year, many students will not be able to prove their address in time to vote, which becomes a major problem when you consider there are more than two million post-secondary students in Canada.

This is why the Canadian Federation of Students and others sought an injunction against the Fair Elections Act a few months ago. Ontario Superior Court Justice David Stinson found that "there is a risk that some individuals who would otherwise rely on the Voter Information Card to enable them to vote will be unable to do so," but he refused to grant the injunction.

Even young people who are not students may now face voting roadblocks because of their age and where they're at in life.

For one, we're transient. I've lived in five different homes in two different provinces over the past two years, and I think I've only had proof of address for one (my family's home).

Similarly, we like to travel abroad. I'm not going to be in Canada on October 19, and I know a lot of people around my age who aren't going to be either.

Also, many of us don't have driver's licences, or our government-issued ID is stored safely somewhere else.

Voting is relatively new to us, and as we all know, new habits are difficult to form. Some call it apathy, but I think it's more than that.

We know about these difficulties because we're living with them, but that doesn't mean we can't vote. No matter how difficult the law or our lifestyles make it to vote, we still can.

What are some solutions?

.myTable { background-color:#eee;width:100%; }
.myTable th { background-color:#000;color:white;text-align:center; }
.myTable td, .myTable th { padding:5px;border:1px solid #000; }
.myTable th:first-child, .myTable td:first-child { width:30%;font-weight:bold; }
ul li { padding: 4px 0px; }

ProblemsSolutions

I am a student without proof of current residenceIf you live in an on-campus student residence, fill out this letter and have it signed by your residence admin. You will still need one other piece of ID to vote.
Check to see if there's an Elections Canada office on campus and vote there. Note that these are only open from October 5 to 8. They are not open on Election Day. You will vote for a candidate in the riding of your permanent residence, not the one you currently live in.
If you are registered at home and plan on going there for the Thanksgiving weekend, vote in advance polls. Maybe make it a family affair!
Find a neighbour who has proof of residence and have her or him take an oath for you on voting day. You will need two pieces that prove your identity.

I have moved and don't have proof of current residenceDouble-check the second list on this page and see if you can get one of those statements to prove residence (transfer the utility bill to your name, ask for a residential lease with your name on it, etc.).
Check to see if you are registered somewhere else, and if you are, apply to vote by mail. Ask whoever currently resides there to forward your ballot to where you are now.
Find a neighbour who has proof of residence and have him or her take an oath for you. You will still need two pieces that prove your identity.

I won't be in the country (or my residence) on voting dayApply to vote by mail. You will need access to a printer, and you will have to buy stamps, but it's worth it.
Check to see if you'll be home on advance voting days.

I don't have a government-issued IDTry to take the written driver's test! It's quick and you will receive a paper version of your ID as soon as you pass. Just because you have a licence doesn't mean you have to drive.
If your ID is stored with your parents or somewhere else, ask someone to mail it to you.

I am feeling over-whelmed/apatheticFind creative ways to get a group of friends involved with the election.
Research the parties and think about what matters to you. If you don't know where to start, Vote Compass is a great tool to find out where you stand.
And of course, our Election 2015 blog has quick analysis on key environmental issues and party information.