Grade 7 and 8 students at Summerland Middle School got an introduction to the democratic process last week as they participated in a mock election on Thursday.
The students had to show identification and were given ballots much like those their parents will use in Monday’s federal election.
“We want to teach students skills they’re going to use when they leave school,” said Richa Thorpe, a Grade 7 teacher at the school.
She said voting should be important for the students, but those who do not begin voting when they reach legal age are often reluctant to vote later.
To prepare for the mock election, Thorpe said students examined candidates and party platforms.
“The kids in my class have realized voting is very complicated,” she said. “There is no right answer.”
Her father, Rick Thorpe, former MLA for Okanagan Skaha, said the exercise is important in encouraging youths to vote — something political parties have encouraged during this election campaign.
“They are the future providers. They are the future leaders,” he said.
He added that he would like to see the mock election combat voter apathy.
“All too often, people take voting for granted,” he said.
In Summerland, an estimated 200 students took part in the mock election and throughout Canada, more than 3,500 schools participated.
Results were expected following the actual election day on May 2.