Youth voter turnout has been on the decline for years, bringing overall voter turnout with it.  Elections Canada is trying to change that statistic by bringing polling stations to university and college students across the country.

39 campuses from coast-to-coast, plus 13 friendship centers and several community centers, are part of a pilot project to make voting more accessible to students who often live outside their home ridings.

"The students are very, very pleased that we have taken the vote to them and that we have made it as easy as possible," said Joan O'Neill, a field officer with Elections Canada. "They are encouraged by it and we are encouraged by it."

Only 38.8 % of youth aged 18-24 voted in the 2011 federal election compared to 75 % for those aged 65 to 74. When it came to first-time voters only 40.5 % cast a ballot on election day.

"I think this will made a difference. I'm going to vote," said one student at Carleton University.

And if lines are any indication, the project seemed to be a success.

Line ups at on-campus polling stations across the country ranged from 15 minutes to 1 hour, and those involved said the lines were consistent throughout the four-day pilot project that ran from Monday, October 5th to Thursday, October 8th, 2015. It is estimated that more than 42,000 students took advantage of the special polling stations.

"I had no idea where I was supposed to vote or anything," said Waled Adevayo, who voted at Carleton University. "I saw it here and so I went ahead (and voted). It was easy. It was just like that."

For first-time voters like Adevayo voting can be complicated, especially when it comes to proof of address. According to a study by Elections Canada, being too busy with work, school or family, and a lack of knowledge about the parties, candidates and issues were among the top reasons for not voting.

That's why Elections Canada officials are on site, helping to answer questions, get voters registered and to determine their electoral district.

"As long as they have the proper I.D., (students) get to choose what electoral district they vote in and then we provide them with the list of candidates and they cast their ballot," O'Neill said.

Unlike the ballot voters fill out on October 19th, special ballots are blank and require students to write in the candidate they support. The process gives voters the chance to vote early, and to cast a ballot outside their home riding.

"I think it's a great pilot project and I hope they continue it in the future. For me, it's just a lot more convenient," said Mitchel White-Richard, a New Brunswick native studying at Carleton University.

Elections Canada will review the results of the special polling stations after the general election, with the hopes of making it a permanent feature at every university and college next time around.

"It makes it so much easier for people to vote," said Anne-Marie Roy with the Canadian Federation of Students. "I think allowing students to vote in their home riding while they are away at school is going to help tremendously."