February 24- Students throughout Saskatchewan will have the opportunity to experience the voting process firsthand and practice the habits of informed and engaged citizenship.
Student Vote is a parallel election for elementary and high schools coinciding with official elections. Students will learn about government and the electoral process, engage in the campaign and cast ballots for the official local candidates.
Elections Saskatchewan and CIVIX are partnering to coordinate the Student Vote program for the April 4 provincial election. The program kicked off today during a media event at Miller Comprehensive High School in Regina with Grade 11 and 12 students along with Elections Saskatchewan and CIVIX.
“As we prepare for the 28th General Election the Student Vote program is a great opportunity to engage these future voters,” says Dr. Michael Boda, Chief Electoral Officer of Saskatchewan. “Students are the next generation of voters, and increasing their interest in democracy and elections is important.”
“We encourage all teachers to get involved in Student Vote Saskatchewan and join over 250 schools across the province. It is a privilege to receive the support of Elections Saskatchewan, and our team looks forward to helping teachers make the best learning experience out of this election,” said Taylor Gunn, President and Chief Election Officer of CIVIX.
Schools can register for this free program up until March 14, by signing up at www.studentvote.ca/sk2016 or by calling 1-866-488-8775. Registered schools will receive activity guides, posters, constituency maps, ballots and ballot boxes.
In addition to young students participating in Student Vote, they are also invited to witness democracy in action by attending the voting places during advance voting and election day. When they arrive with their parents, grandparents or other eligible voters, each child will receive a “Future Voter” sticker.
Elections Saskatchewan is the province’s independent, impartial, professional election management body. Given a mandate from the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly, it organizes, manages and oversees provincial electoral events, including the April 4, 2016 general election. Information for voters, workers, media, candidates and parties at www.elections.sk.ca.
CIVIX is a non-partisan, national registered charity with a mission to build the skills and habits of citizenship among young Canadians. CIVIX organizes experiential learning opportunities to help young Canadians practice their rights and responsibilities as citizens. Since 2003, CIVIX has coordinated 29 Student Vote programs across Canada. In the recent federal election, 922,000 students cast a ballot from 6,662 schools.
For more information contact:
Tim Kydd
Senior Director
Communications & Outreach
Elections Saskatchewan
tim.kydd@elections.sk.ca
(306) 787-7355