“Most schools won’t hold their elections until October, after they receive their mock voting papers.
“We expect most schools to run their elections on Monday, October 9, or Tuesday, October 10.
“We’d also appreciate any coverage to get more schools in your region signed up!”
Electoral Commission deputy chief executive operations Anusha Guler said Kids Voting was a fun and easy programme.
“It’s such a great opportunity for school students of all ages to get a taste of what it’s like to vote in a general election.
“What we’ve found is that kids benefit from learning about the voting process and get a real thrill out of having their vote counted in a mock election.”
Schools or individual teachers that sign up for Kids Voting give an indication of how many students will be participating.
The Electoral Commission sends all the resources to run a mock election.
These include a Kids Voting ballot box, curriculum-linked teaching resources to support students’ learning and a teachers’ guide to running a mock election.
The commission also sends send posters that teachers can put up around their classroom.
Teachers will be able to use the Kids Voting resources to support their students to explore real-life election issues and the parties and candidates standing in the election.
“The experience is made to be as authentic as possible, with the mock voting papers containing actual parties and candidates from their electorate,” says Ms Guler.
Schools can sign up for the programme or find out more information at www.kidsvoting.co.nz
