With election signs popping up around town, residents are being urged to make sure they vote on election day.

Only 300,000 people, or 37 per cent of the population, cast a ballot in the 2006 municipal election.

Nearly half of those voters supported Mayor Larry O'Brien, allowing him to take away the win with the support of only 17 per cent of the population.

2006 Ottawa election turnout

  • 300,039 - total votes
  • 141,262 - votes for O'Brien

The youth demographic makes up a large part of the population, and the Canadian Youth Assembly wants to get those residents out to the polling stations.

"We make up about 110,000 people in the City of Ottawa. A lot of those people are on campuses. It's a huge demographic if it's tapped into properly," said youth representative Brenden Johnstone.

However, experts say low voter turnout can actually be beneficial for some candidates, as long as they've secured the most support.

You don't need all the votes, you just need the people who will vote for you, said Carleton University political science professor Jonathan Malloy.

Residents go to the polls Oct. 25. Advanced polling is scheduled for Oct. 2 and Oct. 14. You can find your nearest polling station by logging onto the city's website.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's John Hua