When youth don’t involve themselves in civic and social participation, it is impossible for Canada to operate at its full potential. It is also no longer a clear reflection of democracy!

Rush the Vote recognizes this. Youth have something to say, it’s just seems as though no one is listening. In fact some politicians are counting on youth NOT voting. Youth need a voice… Rush the Vote will provide the forum for youth to be heard.

From day one, Rush the Vote has been committed to being a non-partisan, youth focused and youth driven movement in Canada.

Our first awareness campaign began during the 1997 municipal elections in Toronto. Through various initiatives Rush the Vote concluded the most effective way to connect with youth was using entertainment as the ‘hook’ to educate. Thus, ‘Edutainment’ became the foundation of Rush the Vote programming.
With so many young people fed up, Rush the Vote saw that it would be pointless to expect youth to step outta their world and into the realm of politics. Instead we would have to bring politics into their world.
So …how does Rush the Vote plan on reaching youth?

• Jams,
• Cyphers,
• School tours,
• Concerts,
• Sporting events,
• Lectures,
• Town hall meetings, Churches; and Student groups.

Check out some of the events we’ve hosted:
• 1999 Rush the Vote hosted the ‘Youth Music Power Summit’, an event at Nathan Philip Square, Toronto that featured artists, community leaders, and politicians
• 2000, ‘Dunk the Vote’ a basketball invitational tournament between current high school and old school city allstars.

• 2000, RTV held a spoken word poetry showcase ‘Word Quake’ which featured some of Tdot’s finest spoken word artists
• 2003, the Rush the Vote National launch held in Ottawa, showcasing 25 Canadian artists, sports figures, television and radio personalities.
• 2003, Rush the Vote Block Party: Youth Voter Rally at Dundas Square
Rush the Vote Goals & Objectives
Young people have a lot to say but there are many reasons why they haven’t been speaking up in the political arena. Politics remains an intimidating place for those not traditionally involved in the process. Information surrounding elections is often confusing. Young people are not provided the space to address their elected representatives directly, nor are politicians provided the opportunity to hear what youth have to say.

Therefore, these are the objectives Rush the Vote will be undertaking to motivate youth to vote.
1. Simplifying information,
(i.e. party platforms, how the electoral process works, how government operates),
2. Making politicians accessible to youth,
3. Giving youth the opportunity to grade government on youth issues,
4. Encouraging debate of electoral reform,
5. Increasing awareness of youth issues with political parties and encouraging them to include youth issues in their platforms; and
6. Identifying key youth issues and advocating on their behalf.
Over the years Rush the Vote has reached out to many young adults and these are some of the issues that have been identified as most important to deal with:

• Human Rights,
• Youth & Community Safety,
• Nationalism & Unity,
• Arts & Culture,
• Environment,
• Jobs & Career Opportunities; and
• Education & Literacy.