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Effects Of Delayed Transitions To Adulthood On Youth Voting Participation, Delia Chen

2016 Undergraduate Awards

Many democracies in developed countries are experiencing declining voting rates largely driven by the non-participation of youth. Focusing on federal elections within Canada, this study examines the socio-demographic differences between old and new voting generations as an explanation for the decline in youth voting participation. The propensity to vote for a Canadian under the age of 35 is modelled as a function of a series of adulthood indicators such as owning a household, marriage and having a child. Using Canadian Elections Studies data conducted between 1984 and 2011, the findings show that adult lifecycle events are largely positive determinants of …