Teens up and down the Coast are learning first hand how the provincial election process works.
Students at Pender Harbour, Elphinstone and Chatelech secondary schools are taking part in mock elections May 11, one day before the official provincial vote.
"My Civic Studies 11 class is sponsoring the Student Vote program in the school. This is organized through Elections B.C. with the intention of increasing voter turnout in the 18 to 24 range," said Pender harbour teacher Alyssa Kennelly.
With a real election campaign going on, Kennelly said her students have taken an interest in the program that enhances the course's curriculum because the material is more relevant.
"I've learned a lot about how different parties work, their values. Personally I think I'll vote, but I don't know that the program changed that," said student Dion Pickles.
Nathan McKeil is also taking part in Student Vote.
"[Voting's] always been kind of interesting to me," said Nathan.
As for apathy among young voters he said, "I assume people don't understand or don't want to go out."
The Student Vote group's philosophy states, "The decline [in voting] reflects a generational phenomenon that can be attributed to low levels of political knowledge and civic literacy among young Canadians. Student Vote election and non-election initiatives aim to begin a habit of democratic participation that will last a lifetime."
Kennelly said student's seemed to more easily understand the Single Transferable Vote (STV) method, which adults will vote for in a referendum on May 12.
"We watched an animation on the Citizen's Assembly [website] about it and they got it right away," Kennelly said laughing and added that she had to watch it three times to understand the mathematics behind STV.
"It's only mind-boggling for the people who have to count them [the votes]," added Nathan.
Kennelly said Dawn Miller from the B.C. Liberal Party and incumbent Nicholas Simons for the New Democrat Party, were scheduled to speak to the entire student body this week and answer questions.
"Political parties take the vote very seriously," Kennelly said.
She said the results from the May 11 student vote must be kept private and only published alongside the official results following the May 12 official vote.
