MuchMusic and MTV Canada are trying to talk to younger voters in their own, arguably raunchy language and get them to cast a ballot in the Oct. 14 federal election.

Warning: While young people might get a chuckle, most adults will find some of the ads' content offensive, or at least juvenile.

The 15-second MTV Canada spots feature images of people apparently urinating with the caption: "There are other ways to mark your territory. On Oct. 14, vote."

Those start hitting the airwaves Wednesday night. MuchMusic's campaign begins Sept. 29.

Young people are the primary audience of the two specialty stations.

"We have two distinct brands that speak passionately to young people," Brad Schwartz -- senior senior vice-president and general manager, Much MTV Group -- told CTV Toronto on Wednesday.

CTV, MTV Canada and MuchMusic are all part of the CTVglobemedia corporate family.

Schwartz said the two channels reach one out of every three young Canadians every week.

"With that type of reach and with that type of power comes a very big responsibility," he said, so the channels feel that they have a duty to help encourage young people to vote in elections and have a voice.

Young people traditionally haven't been enthusiastic voters. People over age 55 take the right seriously, with turnout in the 75 to 80 per cent range. The 18-34 demographic is far under the national average of 65 per cent, Schwartz said.

He hoped the promotional ads will prod them to get informed, involved and to vote.

"I hope it's controversial. I hope it gets young people talking, and saying, 'You know what, I need to get out and vote because this country is important to me,'" he said.

MuchMusic is about 'being loud," Schwartz said. "So we said let's get the young people of Canada to be loud and get their voices heard."

The Much spots feature old people in places like gyms and classrooms. "The whole concept of the spot is 'do you want old people making decisions about your future?'" he said.

On MTV, the four spots are "more controversial" as they involve young people peeing on things, he said, describing them as cheeky and funny.

"The problem with the political process in Canada is that people don't speak to youth about youth issues," Schwartz said, saying it sets up a chicken-and-egg problem.

But the more young people vote, the more politicians will have to pay attention to issues that affect younger voters, he said.

Schwartz said the channels have a "wish list" of dreams they would like to do before the election, including holding town halls with the leaders.

As to the ads, CTV Toronto showed them to some young people, and some not-so-young ones.

One young man said the ads were "kind of" funny, but he didn't think they would motivate the 18-34 set to vote. Another said they're out there, but to get young people to vote, "you've got to do some crazy stuff."

A middle-aged man said they were childish and gross, but laughed and said that would appeal to the channels' target market.

A woman sniffed that she didn't like them because "I see animals do it on the street all the time."

With a report from CTV Toronto's John Musselman