Media Release 2004: New findings about youth and electoral participation
20 December 2004
Over 4 out of 5 young Australians nearing 18 years of age believe they will vote when they become eligible, but less would do so if voting were non-compulsory, according to a large scale study sponsored by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), the University of Sydney, and the Australian National University.
"The research study's purpose is to uncover why Australia's young people do or do not enrol and vote, their attitudes to the enrolment and voting process, and what motivates them to participate," Mr Andrew Moyes, Assistant Commissioner, Enrolment and Parliamentary Services said.
Although the Youth Electoral Study (YES) commenced in May 2003 and will run nationally for four years, today's report is the first to be released from the study. Interviews with 17-25 year olds in 16 electoral divisions, and a national survey of Year 12 students this year, form the basis of the YES data so far. The sample for the national survey was more than 4 600 students from government, Catholic and independent schools across all states and territories.
"The students interviewed in 2003 have been tracked and were interviewed again in 2004. They will be re-interviewed in 2005 and 2006 to collect further response. We'll then analyse any attitudinal and behavioural changes over that time," Professor Murray Print of the Centre for Research and Teaching in Civics, University of Sydney said.
Some key preliminary findings from YES are that:
- awareness of the option of provisional enrolment at 17 years of age is low;
- females express a significantly greater intention to enrol than males, but their actual enrolment rate is just marginally higher than that of males;
- young people's intention to vote at 18 years of age is 83% for males, and 90% for females
- 82% believe it is important to vote
- young people do not generally perceive themselves as having a sufficient understanding of politics
- parents are their main source of information about voting
- the link between turning 18 years of age and being able to vote is not exciting.
"The AEC's involvement covers all stages and includes funding spread over four years with further support from AEC staff in Canberra, capital city Head Offices and 16 AEC Divisional Offices. The study also has funding through the Australian Research Council Linkage Grants Program," Mr Moyes said.
Further information:
Professor Murray Print
University of Sydney
Ph. (02) 9351 3202
Mobile: 0402 058 192
Dr Larry Saha
Australian National University
Ph. (02) 6125 2132
Andrew Moyes
Assistant Commissioner
Australian Electoral Commission
Ph. (02) 6271 4506
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