When he signed up to take part in McMaster’s first student-run polling station at the 2025 provincial election, Zimo Wang knew it would be a crucial tool in getting out the youth vote. 

“Youth are often under-represented in elections,” said the fourth-year political science student. “By hosting a student-run polling station on campus, we hope to foster civic engagement in young people and the broader Hamilton community.” 

That’s why a McMaster team took on the challenge set by Elections Ontario to staff the student-run polling station during advanced voting for the election. 

The numbers show that young people are staying away from elections. At the previous Canadian federal election, only 54 per cent of Ontarians under age 24 voted, compared to 78 per cent of those between 65 to 74. 

Political science PhD student Joanna Massie helped to spearhead the initiative alongside political science assistant professor Adrienne Davidson. Massie said the polling station was proof that young people can make an impact in our democracy. 

“Youth participation in our elections is concerningly low, but our experience at this poll suggests that this is not due to lack of interest,” she said. “Young people care about democracy.” 

Massie said that the advance polling booth made it easier than ever for voters to come between meetings or classes. And for people who were voting for the first time, seeing the friendly face of a fellow student staffing the booth was a memorable experience.  

“This experience demonstrated that young people want to get engaged and can make a difference. We just need to find ways to support them to do so.” 

For the student employees, including Wang, it was also a good opportunity for them to see how democracy works in practice. 

“As a Political Science student aspiring to work in government, I believe it is crucial to engage with elections firsthand,” said Wang. “Experiencing the democratic process beyond theory, through direct participation in voting and election administration, helps deepen my understanding of how our electoral system functions in the real world.” 

To staff the polling station, Elections Ontario invited McMaster students to apply for a variety of paid roles from deputy returning officer to information assistant. The response was overwhelming, with over 150 students applying for the roles. 

It meant that the poll could be completely run by students, with no on-site Elections Ontario staff, who instead provided remote guidance to ensure that everything ran smoothly. 

Across the three days of advanced polling, 651 voters showed up to L.R. Wilson Hall to cast their ballots, facilitated by the small army of student employees. 

For Wang, he hopes that makes a difference in showing that young people do have an important role to play in our elections. 

“When young people vote, they ensure their voices are heard and influence decisions that shape their future,” he said.  

The polling station initiative was supported by the Interdisciplinary Minor in Civic Vitality, Democracy and Electoral Management (CIVDEM), Wilson College and the Faculty of Social Sciences.