Canadian students sailing on tall ship set to vote in Switzerland

Alexis Caffin, a recent adult from Chelsea, Que., recently celebrated his 18th birthday, making him eligible to vote for the first time. However, instead of heading to a local polling station in Canada to cast his ballot in the federal election, Caffin will be voting at the Canadian Embassy in Bern, Switzerland. This unique situation is due to his current location on a tall ship traveling the North Atlantic.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to vote and make a difference in the future of Canada,” says Caffin. Joining him in excitement is fellow first-time voter Linnaea O’Brien from Halifax. “I’m grateful to finally have a voice,” says O’Brien.

Caffin and O’Brien recently completed a six-month educational sailing expedition as part of the Class Afloat program. This academic program, based in Lunenburg, N.S., caters to students aged 16-19 from around the world and is accredited by the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. The program began with land-based travel in Germany and the Netherlands before setting sail from Germany on the Alexander von Humboldt II in October.

The students were in Portugal when the Canadian election was called, prompting Brychan Williams, the ship’s social studies teacher, to assist Canadian students in the voter registration process. Williams emphasized the importance of civic duty and encouraged students to participate in the democratic process, even from across the ocean.

Despite the challenges of limited internet access at sea, students like Ottawa’s Emma Visser see it as an opportunity to develop their views independently. “Being able to form my own opinion on everything has been very useful, but it’s been a little scary. But I’m excited. I’m excited to vote,” says Visser.

Students like Caffin and Visser have been actively engaging in research by staying updated on the news, communicating with their families back home, and discussing politics. Caffin plans to watch the recent debates before casting his vote to ensure he is fully informed and confident in his decision.

A total of twelve students and four faculty members will be participating in the voting process on Tuesday, showcasing the dedication of these young individuals to exercise their democratic rights, even while navigating the challenges of life at sea.