100,000 underage students to cast ballots in Ontario civic elections

TORONTO, ON /CNW/ – Ontario schools add democracy to the curriculum, as more than one hundred thousand students take part in the Student Vote municipal and school board elections.

Today and tomorrow, students are taking on the roles of returning officers, poll clerks and scrutineers; and hosting a Student Vote Day where students will vote for the official candidates running in their municipality. Their vote follows a series of instruction and activities focused on government and elections, research into the candidates and local issues, as well as dialogue with family and friends.

The Student Vote results remain under embargo until the close of polls on official election night (8pm on October 27).

“The experience extends well beyond the classroom and engages families in the election. We have heard many stories of students taking their newfound knowledge home and sparking political discussion at the dinner table. Some students have even changed the voting habits of their parents and actually encouraged them to vote for the first time,” says Lindsay Mazzucco, Chief Operating Officer of CIVIX.

More than 1,600 elementary and secondary schools have registered to participate from 254 municipalities across the province. Among those schools registered are all of Superior-Greenstone’s public high schools in Red Rock, Terrace Bay, Greenstone, Marathon, Manitouwadge and others in our region – CLICK HERE to view the google map which illustrates all registered schools.  Participation includes 328 schools in Toronto, 101 schools in Ottawa, 70 schools in Mississauga, 49 schools in London and 45 schools in Hamilton, as well as many others across the province.

The project is made possible due to financial support received from the Ontario Ministry of Education and Youth Take Charge Program at the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Student Vote is a parallel election for students under the voting age that coincides with official election periods. Student Vote is the flagship program of CIVIX. CIVIX is a national registered charity building the capacity and commitment of young Canadians to participate in their democracy.