Young N.B. students take part in mock federal election

MONCTON – Forest Glen School students took part in a mock federal election on Friday and say the experience taught them an important lesson in democracy.

Eight year-old Jessica Luther was one of the students to cast her ballot.

“You should vote because everyone’s vote counts,” she said in her school’s library.

The program is called Student Vote. It teaches students about Canada’s federal election and why voting is important. The students voted for real federal candidates in their riding.

There were 118 students, from grades three to four who went to the polls. They also helped administer votes.

Lisa Hetherington was one of the teachers who helped organize the activity. She says young people need to learn their voting rights.

“If they understand the process and they don’t have that fear then maybe they’ll be more inclined to vote later on,” she said, noting the ballots her students cast on Friday could encourage others to vote in Monday’s general election.

“I’m hoping parents will get out to vote on Monday and with the encouragement of their children because their children will have all voted today.”

Voting results at the school will be released after the election.