The students at Holy Cross Catholic School got a taste of democracy. The kids in grades 4 to 6 cast ballots today for the people they think should be elected to North Grenville Council. Each student voted for a mayor and four councillors.
Grade 5 student Joyce Neelin says it’s important to vote because then everyone has a say about who is in charge of the community.
Organizer and teacher Katherine Murphy says its important for students to learn about democracy and participate in political conversations. The school holds their own mock election every time there is a federal, provincial or municipal election. Holy Cross, along with other local schools, partner with the organization Civics to run the elections. Ballots, posters and voting boxes are all provided.
Grade 5 student Seth Willett says he will vote when he grows up because he thinks everyone should have a say.
Murphy says the students research all the candidates to make an informed vote. The results are kept top secret until after the real election, set for October 22. Once the final tally is revealed, the students then compare who they voted for to who was actually elected.