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This Wednesday, the Grade Five students at The Maples Independent Country School participated in their first federal election. No, these elementary students are not over 18 years of age. The vote they participated in is Student Vote, a non-profit organization that gives students under the age of 18 a chance to consider the electoral process and express their opinions in a school-based setting. The students prepared a mock polling station, along with voting screens, a ballot box and a voter’s list, all supplied by Student Vote. They used official-looking ballots with the Dufferin-Caledon candidates’ names on them, and were instructed in the official voting procedures as conducted at any polling station. Students from Grades 6 to 8 also voted, and the results were submitted to Student Vote for a final tally to be reported after the real vote on May 2nd.
During the process, students developed an increased awareness of the election issues as they unfolded in the media and in their homes. They discussed opinions and choices with friends and family, and arrived at a final, if hurried (the election itself was conducted in such a short period of time) decision as they completed their ballot at the polling station. By participating in the democratic process, students learned about what it means to be a Canadian citizen, about the right (and responsibility) to vote, and about the many issues of the day that are being discussed by our political representatives.
This is the second Student Vote at The Maples Independent Country School. The Grade Five class conducted the first one during the municipal election in the fall. We are looking forward to participating in more elections (the provincial election in October 2011) and involving students in future years!
To see the final results of the Student Vote, click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW-q8NLb8k0&feature=player_embedded
