Just as parents are humming and hawing over who will get their vote, students across Peace Country are getting a sneak peek of just how democracy works.
Students at Charles Spencer High School in Grande Prairie are using class time devoted to learning about platforms, policy, and party leaders as part of a mock 2019 provincial election vote.
Charles Spencer High School teacher Derrick Potosky says after the ins and outs are learned the students can mimic their parents and freely discuss what they like and dislike about the candidates.
He adds after that discussion is over the students finish things off like those actually casting a ballot would.
“In a simulation just like adults would, where they would go to a gym or whatever. They would register with their student card and cast a ballot kind of like those over 18 would.”
With so much information available to students, Potosky says he hopes it will help give the students more appreciation as to how vital a single vote can be.
“The idea is to get kids to think about that elections have consequences and everyone has their own view what is important to them. A student has different needs from a senior.”
Potosky jokes that even taking into account sick students or the odd one skipping school the turnout should be much higher than that of the real election on April 16th.
