Canadians over the age of majority won’t be the only ones casting ballots for the upcoming federal election: Student Vote, an Election Canada-backed program, will give elementary and high school students a chance to participate in mock elections.
The students’ votes do not affect the actual election outcome, but the results have been similar over the years.
The 18-24 age group has the lowest voter turnout rate in Canada, and Student Vote, a non-profit organization, seeks to change that by instilling early voting habits in students.
“We want to empower students to feel their participation is valued,” Student Vote co-founder Taylor Gunn says. “It’s a chance for students to practice what’s important to them and participate in democracy.”
Lisgar Collegiate and Immaculata High School are among the nearly 3,000 Canadian schools registered to vote Oct. 6-10.
Lisgar has participated in each provincial and federal election since in 2003.
“Whenever there’s an opportunity for an authentic, real-life learning experience, you want to try to seize it,” says Angus McCabe, teacher and Student Vote leader at Lisgar.
Schools receive an election package including campaign guides, posters, election manuals, and authentic Elections Canada voting materials such as ballot boxes and student ballots with candidate names for the school’s riding. Schools are encouraged to set up polling stations and assign students as officers.
Former Lisgar student Catherine Brown co-organized Student Vote at the school for the 2003 Ontario election. Looking back, she says Student Vote made her a more conscientious citizen.
“The experience taught me how fundamental voting is to a functioning democracy,” says Brown, who is now of voting age.
Grade 12 student Nora Fleury chooses to vote and credits her politics class for helping her keep up with the election. “Staying informed is almost my homework."
Meanwhile, Grade 12 student Evan Campbell says the election isn’t a big conversation topic among his friends because they can’t vote yet. However, the Lisgar student says he will register for Student Vote.
“I think it’s important that students are aware of what’s happening in the political world."