Results from a mock provincial election at a handful of East Kootenay schools, have revealed that student voting preferences are similar to the general population.
Students from 16 regional schools cast ballots leading up to the provincial election, with 41.32 per cent voting for Pete Davis (Conservative), 27.78 per cent for Tom Shypitka (Independent), 17.16 per cent for Kerri Wall (Green Party) and 16.75 per cent Sam Atwal (NDP).
Cranbrook and surrounding area saw participation from Highlands Elementary, Kootenay Orchards Elementary, Pinewood Elementary, Steeples Elementary, Laurie Middle School, Parkland Middle School, Mount Baker Secondary, St. Mary's Catholic Independent School, Kootenay Christian Academy and Jaffray School.
The Elk Valley drew votes from Fernie Academy, Isabella Dicken Elementary School, École Sophie-Morigeau, Kootenay Discovery School, Heritage Christian School and Rocky Mountain Elementary School.
The vote is part of a greater province-wide program offered by Student Vote B.C, that aims to increase political literacy in youth. Prior to voting, students were able to learn about and discuss each of the distinct party platforms with their class and their teachers.
"It gave them the opportunity to realize that they matter and their voices are going to be heard," said Fernie Academy teacher Carly Yvon.
Nearly all schools in the Cranbrook area showed a substantial preference for Pete Davis, except for Kootenay Orchards, whose top choice was Sam Atwal. Preference for Davis was strongest at Jaffray School, and at independent schools like St. Mary's and Kootenay Christian Academy, but votes approached 50 per cent at a few other schools as well.
Laurie Middle School teacher Daniel Howitt said the program encourages critical thinking, and gives students confidence to develop their own thoughts and opinions.
"I do think parents have a big impact because a lot of students came in with opinions before we started our research, and they wouldn't necessarily be able to explain why they liked a certain group. Once we did research, sometimes they changed or sometimes they decided that they still supported that party," he explained.
The vote was much more divided in the Elk Valley. Sparwood showed a strong preference for Davis, but Shypitka was the top choice at Fernie Academy and Kootenay Discovery School. Data from Rocky Mountain Elementary School and École Sophie-Morigeau voters has not been released online.
Support for Wall was also very high in the Elk Valley. She was the number one choice at Isabella Dicken and the runner-up at all other schools with published results.
At Fernie Academy, grade 10 classes ran the program, and kindergarten to grade nine classes were able to vote. Min Merritt even took her grade two class to the advanced polls to watch her vote in the real election, to show them what the process was like.
Yvon said she noticed that students at Fernie Academy were very concerned about the environment and housing, and this could account for top votes being cast for Shypitka and Wall.
"I think it's nice just for them to see [environmentalism] on a broader scale other than just at the municipal level. It's more than just us telling them it's something they have to work on," she said.
Provincially, 180,000 students participated in Student Vote in B.C. NDP leader David Eby took the largest share of the popular vote, winning 43 seats and forming a minority government, while Conservatives under John Rustad formed the official opposition with 40 seats. Much like the regional results, the Green Party with leader Sonia Furstenau did much better than in the legitimate election, winning 10 seats. All three provincial leaders won seats in their ridings.
To see full results from Student Vote B.C, visit www.studentvote.ca.