In the 2019 federal general election, 67 per cent of eligible voters cast their ballot in Canada. Breaking the election turnout by age group, we notice that, once again, older voters came out in much larger numbers than younger voters. For instance: 73 per cent of voters aged 55 to 64 years old and 79 per cent of voters aged 65 to 74 years old did in fact cast ballot in that election, compared to only 57 per cent of voters aged 18 to 34 according to Elections Canada's data.
In fact, the Elections Canada estimates show a 25-point gap between the turnout of the 18-24 year old and of 65-74 year old demographics. Had these younger voters cast ballots in similar proportions to their elders in 2019, a little over 400,000 additional ballots would have been cast from coast to coast - roughly as many ballots cast in all of in New Brunswick in 2019. Applying the same formula to the 25-34 year old demographic, about 900,000 more ballots would have been cast, almost as many as all of Manitoba and Saskatchewan combined, more than enough ballots to swing election one way or another.
Read this column here.
[Source data: Léger / Canadian Press polls from October 2020 to April 2021]
Philippe J. Fournier is the creator of Qc125 and 338Canada. He teaches physics and astronomy at Cégep de Saint-Laurent in Montreal. For information or media request, please write to info@Qc125.com.
Philippe J. Fournier est le créateur de Qc125 et 338Canada. Il est professeur de physique et d'astronomie au Cégep de Saint-Laurent à Montréal. Pour toute information ou pour une demande d'entrevue médiatique, écrivez à info@Qc125.com.
In fact, the Elections Canada estimates show a 25-point gap between the turnout of the 18-24 year old and of 65-74 year old demographics. Had these younger voters cast ballots in similar proportions to their elders in 2019, a little over 400,000 additional ballots would have been cast from coast to coast - roughly as many ballots cast in all of in New Brunswick in 2019. Applying the same formula to the 25-34 year old demographic, about 900,000 more ballots would have been cast, almost as many as all of Manitoba and Saskatchewan combined, more than enough ballots to swing election one way or another.
Read this column here.
[Source data: Léger / Canadian Press polls from October 2020 to April 2021]
Philippe J. Fournier is the creator of Qc125 and 338Canada. He teaches physics and astronomy at Cégep de Saint-Laurent in Montreal. For information or media request, please write to info@Qc125.com.
Philippe J. Fournier est le créateur de Qc125 et 338Canada. Il est professeur de physique et d'astronomie au Cégep de Saint-Laurent à Montréal. Pour toute information ou pour une demande d'entrevue médiatique, écrivez à info@Qc125.com.