Hamilton music producer encouraging youth to vote

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A record number of Canadians cast ballots over the Thanksgiving long weekend.

According to Elections Canada, 3.6 million voted in the advance polls – a 71 per cent increase since the last election.

Still, one demographic has a history of not showing up at the polls: according to Elections Canada, less than 39 percent of eligible voters between the ages of 18 and 24 cast a ballot in 2011. With less than a week to go before election day, one local music producer is hoping he can help young voters tune in.

As owner of Threshold Recording Studio in Hamilton, Michael Keire listens for a living; but it’s something he hasn’t been hearing that sparked his latest project. “Young people have not been voting. That’s not just in Canada, that’s in America too. Young people haven’t been engaged in the process.”

To help motivate youth to get to the polls, Keire came up with a contest. “I’d like you to take a selfie, a picture of yourself at a voting station and send it to me.”

“I’ll put all the names in a hat. I’m going to draw a name out of the hat, and that winner gets a day in the studio on me.”

It’s no small prize. Threshold Recording Studio has hosted some big names like Arkells, The Dirty Nil and Serena Ryder. The rate to work with Keire: 500 dollars a day.

“I don’t care who you vote for, or what your angle is with it. I just hope you do some research and actually participate in the political process.”

Keire is not the only one in the music industry enticing young people to cast a ballot. Members of band July Talk are promising to personally call people under 25 who can show they voted.

“I think that this is still the first step, if anything. For some people that’s all they need to do to engage in the process, but for me it’s a start at least.”

Voting is proof you don’t have to be a singer to have your voice heard. Keire has already received about 25 entries from the advance polls; more than he was expecting altogether.

To enter the contest you can send your voting selfies to Threshold Recording Studio’s Facebook page. As per Elections Canada rules, just make sure to take your photos outside the polling station.