Civic Vitality, Democracy and Electoral Management (CIVDEM)

Indigenous Seat on Hamilton City Council

This project aims to develop a comprehensive policy report outlining the creation and filling of an Indigenous seat on Hamilton City Council. It will explore potential electoral reforms and necessary legislative amendments to facilitate this initiative.

Additionally, the report will assess public opinion on the matter and recommend best practices for ensuring effective representation through this mechanism. By fostering inclusive governance, the project seeks to enhance the voice of Indigenous communities within local decision-making processes.

McMaster Democracy Check-up

Exploring student perspectives on democracy, this initiative focuses on their views regarding free speech, protest, and the dynamics of identity and belonging within the campus community.

It aims to understand how students perceive the balance between free expression and the limitations that may arise during conflicts involving protests.

By gathering these insights, the project seeks to promote a deeper dialogue about democratic values and their relevance to campus life, ultimately fostering a more inclusive environment for discussion around these important issues.

Election Disinformation Mitigation

This analysis focuses on the mitigation of election disinformation during the 2022 Ontario municipal elections. It aims to identify the key individuals and governing bodies responsible for developing and implementing strategies to combat misinformation.

The project will evaluate the effectiveness of media literacy programs and public awareness campaigns in addressing these challenges. Drawing on best practices, it will also propose new strategies to enhance the fight against election-related disinformation and misinformation, ultimately contributing to a more informed electorate.

Trust in Online Voting in Hamilton

This project examines Hamiltonians’ perceptions of Online Voting as an alternative voting method, focusing on public trust in Online Voting compared to other options, such as Vote by Mail.

It will explore how these perceptions may have been influenced by the recent cyber incident in Hamilton. Additionally, the project will identify key factors that affect trust in Online Voting and provide recommendations to enhance its credibility and reliability as a voting option for the community.

By addressing these concerns, the initiative aims to foster greater confidence in the electoral process among Hamilton residents.

Youth With(out) Representation: The Presence/Absence of Young People on Local Councils

This initiative explores the magnitude of (under-)representation of young people on municipal councils across Canada, analyzing the factors that contribute to the variation in youth candidacy and membership.

It will also assess whether younger councillors effectively address issues that matter to young constituents. A comprehensive policy scan will be conducted to examine how municipalities in Ontario formally represent youth, including mechanisms like Advisory Councils.

Based on the findings, the project will offer recommendations for best practices to enhance youth representation and engagement in local governance.

Electoral Integrity

Exploring the impact of electoral integrity issues, this initiative focuses on how perceptions of foreign interference affect voter confidence and public trust in the electoral process.

The team will analyze public opinion data provided by Elections Canada, utilizing insights from the National Electors Study (NES) 2021 questionnaires to understand the relationship between these perceptions and electoral engagement.

By examining the connection between perceived integrity issues and voter trust, the project aims to identify strategies to enhance public confidence in Canadian elections.

Assessing How TikTok’s Algorithm Generates Political Content Recommendations and the Implications for the Youth Demographic

The research is focused primarily on how the algorithmic personalized content driven nature of certain platforms, namely TikTok, impacts the kind of political content that is available/promoted. Special focus was placed on the youth demographic, for a number of reasons.

Chief among these reasons was the high degree of engagement with the political sphere using online platforms observed within the youth demographic. We believe this presented the possibility of spread of mis/disinformation, the spread of polarizing content, and a disenchantment with the political system which could exasperate pre-existing issues, including the observed trend of low voter turnout among the demographic.

Brief
Research Paper

Visit the Samara Centre for Democracy Website

Navigating the Boundaries of Free Speech and Hate Speech at McMaster University

The research conducted by the team at McMaster University aims to explore how students perceive and navigate the boundaries between hate speech and free speech on campus. The study focuses on the implications of these perceptions for the campus’ democratic environment.

Employing the Q-Sort method, the research delves into students’ attitudes, behaviours, and experiences concerning speech freedoms and restrictions to foster a more inclusive and democratic campus community.

Brief
Research Paper

Visit McMaster University’s Office of Student Affairs Website

Youth Participation in Municipal Politics

What various external resources on municipal civics help fill the gaps in the provincial curriculum, and how can the provincial government improve the quality of civic education to aid teachers in their lesson plans?

Brief
Research Paper

Visit The Town of Oakville Website

Factors Influencing VBM Turnout in Hamilton

The adoption of Vote-by-Mail (VbM) systems is crucial for electoral accessibility and participation, especially in Ontario’s municipal and federal elections. This study focuses on assessing VbM’s impact on voter turnout and democratic accessibility. Administrative ease plays a significant role in encouraging voter engagement. States with automatic VbM kit distribution witnessed increased electoral participation, contrasting with Hamilton’s lower turnout due to an online application requirement.

Comparative analysis across municipalities like Toronto, Hamilton, and Guelph reveals varied implementation trajectories, emphasizing tailored strategies aligned with local needs. For instance, Leamington’s automatic VbM kit distribution led to a higher voter turnout. VbM’s societal implications intersect with discussions on democratic accessibility and inclusion. Its potential to enhance democratic engagement underscores the need for nuanced implementation and impact assessment. Synthesizing insights highlights the tension between administrative efficiency and accessibility. While administrative ease correlates with increased turnout, balancing security and accessibility remains a challenge.

Brief
Research Paper

Visit The City of Hamilton Website

Gendered Incivility and Local Politics: How Gender Impacts Uncivil Engagement with Current and Former Mayors on Twitter

Is there a difference in the amount and severity of incivility on social media towards female elected officials in Canada in comparison to men in the same position?

Brief
Research Paper

Visit The Association of Municipalities Of Ontario Website