The pandemic wasn鈥檛 going to get in the way of 91原创 students performing their civic duty this provincial election.
鈥淰oting is incredibly important and as youth we need to promote voting as much as we can, so when the time comes to vote we are aware and we are able to use our voice, Student Vote is a perfect way to practice that,鈥� said River Peatman, a Grade 11 student at Brookswood Secondary School.
Students at the secondary school participated in Student Vote 2020, where kids voted for official election candidates running in their school鈥檚 electoral district.
The school held a virtual all-candidates meeting Oct. 16 where Liberal incumbent Mary Polak, Conservative Shelly Jan and NDP candidate Andrew Mercier answered questions posed by the students, said teacher Katie Glover, noting Green candidate Bill Masse was scheduled to attend but had a medical emergency.
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鈥淭hey asked about things that were important to them, like post-secondary costs, the high costs of car insurance for young drivers, and housing affordability, she said.
鈥淭hey also asked the candidates to comment on social issues such as homelessness and sexism in politics. The students really appreciated hearing the candidates explain how they would address the issues they care about.鈥�
Polling stations were set up in the cafeteria and the library, where cohorts voted during their scheduled time, according to Glover, adding students were required to wear masks and bring their own pen or pencil to cast a ballot.
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鈥淢any of the students also appreciated the opportunity to practice voting [Thursday],鈥� Glover said. 鈥淚 heard thoughtful conversations where students discussed with their peers who they might vote for and why.鈥�
Student Vote British Columbia 2020 will make the results public after the close of the official polls.
One year ago, we released the results of the biggest & best to date!
鈥� CIVIX (@CIVIX_Canada)
1.2 million ballots were cast from 8,000+ schools.
Thanks again to all the students & educators for their participation & engagement.
And to for making possible.
鈥淪tudent Vote allows the students to practice engaging in democracy and having a voice,鈥� Glover said. 鈥淭his is always important no matter what is happening in the world.鈥�
She said the initiative was made possible by the Civix Student Vote program, which is meant to mirror the real-life voting process so students have practice voting and are prepared to vote in the future.
joti.grewal@blackpress.ca
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