Next Tuesday eligible voters across the country will be heading to the polls for the 39th Federal Election. Sadly, if voter apathy trends continue, less than 70% of those who can will be casting a ballot.

Voter turnout in the 2006 election was at 64.7%. The 2004 election boasted even sadder results with only 60.5% of the population casting their votes.

Does this strike anyone else as rather absurd?

Raised in a family that fostered the “if you don’t vote then you can’t complain” mentality, it was instilled in me that voting was a patriotic duty rather that I was obliged to fulfill.

Thank you parents on that one, because the ‘youth’ demographic that I belong to is contributing to the lack of voter turnout at higher rates than any other group.

In the last federal election, roughly 25% of voters aged 18-24 voted. Yes, those of us belonging to Generation Y, a pampered bunch chock full of opinions, seem to have every excuse in the book for not heading to the polls. “My vote doesn’t count”, “I don’t do politics”, “I couldn’t get to the polling station”, “My foot hurt.” I’ve heard them all, and by and large, they’re all pathetic. Plus studies show that the majority of youth that don’t vote go on to become adults that don’t vote.

In some first-world nations, voting is mandatory. Belgium, Argentina and Australia all have mandatory voting laws, with penalties for not doing so ranging from fines to possible imprisonment.

In a 2003 survey by Election Canada, the top two reasons given for not voting were that individuals ‘just weren’t interested’ and ‘didn’t like parties/candidates’. Tax rates, health care, education, roads and infrastructure affect every single Canadian every single day, so get interested.

As for the latter reason, we all have something we’re passionate about, whether it be the arts, money, social programs, the environment, guns or marijuana.

There’s a strong chance that just one of the candidates might share a similar viewpoint as you on one of the aforementioned topics.

While that doesn’t make them your new best friend, it could provide a nudge in whom you vote for. If that fails, ask yourself “Who would I most like to have a beer with?” Vote for them.

With Elections Canada continually stepping up its media campaigns targeting youth voters. In an attempt to make voting as easy as possible, since the 2004 election, any voter can vote on any day of the election campaign by contacting Elections Canada and registering to vote by special ballot.

And to really take the edge off, students are the only citizens in the country who can choose in one of two ridings; where they come from or where they attend school.

It’s that simple. If you aren’t already politically savvy, find an issue that means something to you and find which party/candidate best reflects that.

There’s only four choices.

Then head to the nearest polling station on Oct. 14 with two pieces of ID (one with your pretty face on it) and cast your ballot.

It’s just that easy.