Voter turnout by young people in federal elections is traditionally low.
Riley McGlynn would like to see that change.
The 18-year-old is currently taking computer engineering at Northern College. It would be fair to say that he has been bitten by the political bug.
McGlynn developed an interest in politics three or four years ago.
“I would sit around and watch the news,” he said. “I know with some kids, news is not really cool. But for me, it’s ‘what’s going on today.’”
He is excited about voting for the first time. But he wanted to make sure he was following the best possible thought process before making up his mind.
So, he turned to social media for advice. A posting on Facebook got the ball rolling.
“Now I don’t want to cause a hurricane of comments fighting against each other,” McGlynn’s post read. “I just want some different views and opinions about the election coming up. I’m 18 years old and will be voting for the first time, and I just want to see what everyone has to say about this picture.”
He went on to add “and please don’t hate on each other for having opinions, let people speak their mind without hate.”
He was pleased with the response and said it was helpful.
“I got more reaction than I thought I was going to get,” McGlynn said. “I think it has 250 comments on it, just from everybody around town, putting in their say whether it’s positive or negative. A lot of it was constructive. And it was very interesting to read some of the comments on the parties, what they say for this one and what they say for that one.
“It really gave me a sense of what Timmins has to vote for and what they think.”
He is actively encouraging other young adults to exercise their right to vote.
“As a young person, it is just getting the young people to vote,” he said. “I know for the older generations, they are going to have completely different views from people my age. That’s why I’m trying to get out and go vote and get some of my friends to vote.
“I know for a lot of my friends, it doesn’t matter to them. They don’t care. I’m hoping that by standing up and going out to vote, I can get some of my friends’ eyes to open.”
McGlynn feels it is important for all eligible voters to cast their ballot.
“It’s important to vote because it keeps the country together,” he said. “The basic structure of the country is its democracy. If somebody doesn’t vote, what kind of say should they have. If this leader doesn’t do anything, it doesn’t matter to you because you didn’t vote.”
This will not be the last time you will see McGlynn excited about voting.
“I definitely hope to keep politically active after this,” he said. “This is the first of many elections that I’ll be voting in. I enjoy keeping up with everything that’s going on.”
Election day is Oct. 21, and there are five candidates running in Timmins-James Bay — NDP Charlie Angus, Liberal Michelle Boileau, Conservative Kraymr Grenke, Green Max Kennedy, and PPC Renaud Roy.
Follow our local election coverage here.
