Call for Papers: Electoral Democracy in Critical Times
The Consortium on Electoral Democracy (C-Dem) invites proposals for a capstone conference
to be held on May 7-8, 2026 in Toronto. Since 2019, C-Dem has been capturing public
opinion data across jurisdictions, elections, and over time which provide a wealth of data
about the political attitudes, values and behaviours of Canadians. These include the 2019,
2021, and 2025 Canadian Election Studies (CES), provincial election studies across Canada,
and Democracy Check-Up surveys.
Threats to democracy are prevalent on the news – from coups to democratic backsliding to a
lack of confidence in institutions once revered. We invite proposals that investigate electoral
democracy in this critical time. What do Canadians think about their political institutions? How
have electoral dynamics changed over time? How do citizens and non-citizens alike think
about Canadian society and the diverse groups that make it up? What critical policy areas
receive the most support and where is opinion divided? As democracies around the world
face challenges to democratic governance, social division around the inclusion of various
groups in society, as well as signs of increasing polarisation, where does Canada stand? Have
citizens disengaged from politics? Have they become more cynical of the people and
processes that govern them?
We invite proposals (in English or French) that address a broad range of topics related to
electoral democracy in Canada, as well as Canada in comparative perspective. Papers that
use C-Dem data will be given priority, but papers that utilize other sources of data will be
considered. We strongly encourage papers by early career scholars. Proposals should be
submitted by Nov. 15, 2025. Accepted papers will be notified no later than Dec. 15, 2025.
To apply, please click here.