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Survey of Electors Following the40th General Election


XI. Elders Focus (Those Aged 65+ Years)

In all, 84 percent of those 55 years to 64 years of age and 83 percent of those 65 years of age or older report having voted. Nonetheless, similarly to the study of any other specific group of electors, it is important to understand what potential barriers might be encountered by the elder population and what could be done to facilitate voting. In order to do this, the survey asked those 65 years of age and older what would help older people to vote. In response to this question, access to transportation to polling stations was one of the key suggestions.

While seniors make a variety of suggestions, providing transportation to the polling station is easily the most common response. This is followed by the general suggestion of making it easier to vote, although in many instances no explicit remedies were suggested. Additional suggestions include setting up polling booths in homes for seniors and greater focus on advertising and information about the election.

Helping older people vote
Elderly Canadians 2008
n = 537
%
Provide transportation 37
Improve electoral system/make it easier to vote/not have elections so often 14
Inform them/more advertising/more awareness/stress how important it is 6
Discuss issues relevant to them/get them interested 4
Meet with them/hold forums 3
Visit seniors at home/old age homes/go where they are 3
More money for seniors/increased pension/take better care of seniors 3
Honest politicians/keep promises/tell the truth 2
Civic pride/duty/tell them it's their duty 2
Have voting stations closer to home/have them vote from home/vote from old age homes 2
Better leaders/better candidates/sensible people to run/variety of candidates 2
Other* 13
Nothing 6
No answer 21
DK/NA/Ref 5