'What election?': Some millennials not following campaign

Even though many young voters are part of a very connected group, known as millennials, not all of them are engaged in the federal election campaign.

Jim Farney, a political science professor at the University of Regina, said today's young voters, aged 18 to 25, are not so different from any other era, when it comes to voter apathy.

"This is a trend that goes back long before millennials," Farney said. "We start getting good polling results around voting in the 1950s [and] we start talking about young people not voting by the mid 1960s."

According to figures from 2011, here is the voter turnout for different age groups:

• 18 to 24: 39 per cent turnout.
• 25 to 34: 45 per cent turnout.
• Older than 35: 60 to 70 per cent turnout.

Farney said millenials don't have the sense of duty that their parents and grandparents have.

In the halls of the University of Regina, there were mixed reactions when students were asked about the federal election which takes place Oct. 19.

"A federal election? ... That's surprising to me," someone said.

Others were more involved.

"I've done enough research on all the parties so I feel like I actually know what to do," said one. "And I think there's just a big problem with young people voting and I don't want to be part of that."

Many responded with "I have no idea what's going on" and "what election?"

Farney said research he has looked at indicates it is difficult to get young people to engage in the election process and vote.

Farney said voting is habit and being engaged in politics is a habit. It was also noted that some young people believe issues important to them are not being raised in campaigns and that only fuels apathy.