They may not be legal voting age, but that didn't stop 62 grade 5 and 6 students from casting their ballots during a mock election at Jasper Elementary School Oct. 16.
The vote was timed to coincide with the federal election campaign and designed to give students an opportunity to gain first hand experience with the democratic process and learn about issues facing Canadians across the country.
“It's part of our social studies curriculum,” said Catherine Stastny, a Grade 6 teacher at the school.
“They learned about democracy and the rights and responsibilities of a citizen.”
In the lead up to voting day, students spent time learning about each political party before doing a quick presentation in front of the class. Students were also encouraged to share what they learned at home with their siblings and parents.
In the end, the students elected Liberal candidate Ryan Maguhn with 22 votes, about 35 per cent of the popular vote.
Nationally, more than 850,000 students voted from over 6,000 schools, according to Student Vote, a program organized in partnership with Elections Canada that provides schools with mock election materials. Ultimately, students from across Canada elected the Liberal Party with 67 per cent of the popular vote.
“Studies show that if [students] are informed at this age they will be more informed when they will have the right to vote when they are 18 years old,” explained Stastny.
“My class was really excited and really interested about voting,” she said, adding some of her students also visited the advance polling stations to ask questions about the voting process.
To ensure students received the right information, they were directed to use the website www.pollenize.org. Pollenize is an online guide that breaks down each of the main parties’ platforms point-by-point in an easy to use format.
In addition to using the website, students also watched one of the televised debates.
“It’s important for them to be informed because they will be adults soon and will have to vote,” said Stastny.
On voting day, several students were appointed polling clerks and given a “voters list” to ensure nobody could vote twice. The entire process was set up much like a regular polling station with ballots that included the name of each Yellowhead candidate, as well as cardboard voting booths and a ballot box.
“The reason why it’s important to vote is because voting gives you a chance to make a difference in your country,” said Andre Pinnock, a Grade 6 student who worked as a polling clerk.
“Without voting you wouldn’t have a chance to get what you would like in life,” he said.
That message was echoed by Kira Peel, a fellow Grade 6 student and polling clerk.
“You don’t have to vote, but it’s your responsibility to vote and your vote can make a change,” she said.
Paul Clarke [email protected]
