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Young People Vote project since 1995 has enabled 2.5 mln pupils to vote during mock elections in schools.
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The program ‘Young People Vote’ was created by the Center for Citizenship Education in Poland in 1995 at the time of the National Presidential Elections. Since then, it gives under age students an opportunity to vote in the election conducted at the same time as the official elections take place. Students from grammar and secondary schools vote for the same electoral committees, which participate in the real election. The results collected from the schools are usually announced in national media a couple of days before the official ones. Since 1995 over 2.3 mln students from all over Poland got involved in our program.
The educational aspect of the elections is extremely important. While taking part in the program students:
- prepare and run the elections themselves and in result they learn how the electoral system works and how significant the elections are
- gain knowledge about civic involvement, elections, the entitlements of the European Parliament, the national parliament and the president, learn about the rights we have as the member of the EU
- get a chance to present their opinions on political matters important to our country during the pre-election debates.
The main beneficiaries of the project are young people, which is particularly important for long-term effects of the activities – the project engage pupils in promoting elections in their local communities among adults – those activities could have an impact on bigger youth turnout and make a lasting contribution to encouraging youth to participate in elections and political processes
Polish students very often organize not only mock elections in their schools but also vote turnout campaign in their local communities.
Firstly, they learn why adults do not vote by making an opinion poll, arranging few interviews with adults or looking through the internet and finding some reports on that. Knowing why people stay home on the election day students develop arguments to persuade adults to vote. They use very original and active methods like: organizing a debate with candidates, distributing leaflets, posters and stickers, publishing articles in local newspapers, creating spot-add, organizing happenings or street performances.
The ’Young People Vote’ program is in no way a political campaign. Its purpose is civic education and getting young people involved in the public life. Very often voting in this program gives the young people the first chance to express their opinion in matters important to their country.
Mock elections in your school …? – instruction step by step for young voters
Before the elections we are all confronted with a campaign, various candidates presenting their ideas and making certain commitments. This period is one of the most intriguing in politics. Why wouldn’t young people speak their minds during that period?
Having MOCK ELECTIONS means students will get engaged in the process involving every adult citizen and will feel what does it mean to be a citizen responsible for the future of their country (and a continent).
How to organize MOCK ELECTIONS at your school?
STEP 1 Learn more about the European Parliament (or other body) and about the election procedure
At this stage lectures are organized by teachers, campaigns are run by students. Young people prepare leaflets and posters with information about European Parliament, its competences and about the electoral law (how PE is selected, who can become a candidate, how to vote)
STEP 2 Form School Election Committee
Each school needs an election committee. This group is responsible for preparing and organizing mock elections. Groups should include people responsible for information, organization, electoral law, counting. They will also supervise the process on the election day.
STEP 3 Organize mock elections
To have mock elections you will need certain preparations: school electoral law needs to be defined (who can vote and how it is going to look like); ballot station must be arranged; ballots need to be designed and printed. School Election Committee should also prepare the enrollment list with the names of all students from your school who can participate in the elections.
STEP 4 Encourage people to vote
Probably none of the students at school had an experience of voting in real elections. They need to learn why it is important that they cast their ballot. In order to do that, students organize school campaigns before the elections to make sure the turnout is satisfactory.
STEP 5 Vote and announce the results
Voting is a culmination of the whole process, remember that it should be run according to the rules defined in school electoral law! Have fun!
Translated by Aleksandra Rakocińska
(AS)
