Students to cast votes in mock Auckland elections
Schools can sign up for Kids Voting
Thousands of Auckland students will be shadowing the region’s ‘real world’ local elections with their own mock elections in September.
The classroom-based elections are part of Kids Voting 2016 – an Auckland Council-sponsored programme for students in years 7 to 10 to learn about local democracy and why it’s important to vote.
The programme gives learners the chance to consider real candidates and issues in their local areas, so they are confident enough to debate them with friends and family, and be well-informed when they cast their mock votes.
Just like the real thing
“With elections coming up, there’s no better way for young Aucklanders to participate, and Kids Voting provides a fun and authentic experience,” says Auckland Council Manager Democracy Services Marguerite Delbet.
“The Kids Voting results are announced at the same time as the official election result on 13 October. Unlike the real election, students get to cast their votes online, a first for New Zealand and currently the only online local government election in the country."
Kids Voting popular with students
More than 6000 pupils from 23 schools have registered on the programme.
Epsom Girls Grammar School has taken part in Kids Voting since 2004.
Social Studies head of department Pauline Farra says: “We are convinced that it’s an effective way to introduce students to voting and it allows practical, real experiences of the processes involved in voting."
“We hope that our students will be more informed as future voters with this experience."
“There is also a spin-off in terms of their parents. We encourage the students to talk with their parents and caregivers about voting, so that they can be ready to vote in the real election too.”
'A real buzz'
Papatoetoe Intermediate School has been involved since 2007.
“The whole school takes part,” says teacher Chris Coomes. “There's a real buzz on the day. We promote it as a ‘practice’ vote, not a pretend vote. Students are practising being voters at this age, so that when they turn 18 they will be able to participate fully as citizens."
Teachers: sign your class up now
Teachers can sign up to the programme now. To capture the pre-election build-up, lessons kick off in August.
To register or learn more contactKids.Voting@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz