Getting Students to Vote

An issue I have been thinking about lately is how as teachers we can engage high school kids in the electoral process. High school students are the next generation of voters and it is essential that when they are 18 they actually go vote. The question at hand is how to get these kids interested in Canadian government? The political leaders often seem unrelateable as do the political parties and the issues that are being discussed. Especially given the current political climate of the Conservatives and Liberals in a continual power grab. To me it is like watching a bunch of old, white, alpha males bicker over who is in charge. I can't really relate and I love politics. I can't imagine how most high school  kids can relate.

During elections you will find some candidates on Much Music and MTV Canada in an attempt to gain votes from the younger demographics but this is clearly not enough considering voter turn out in the 2008 federal election was 58.8% according to Stats Canada. This was the lowest voter turn out in years. I think that more often than not young voters are alienated from the electoral process due to the lack of education or interest on current events in Canada. There is a sense that their vote does not matter as the older generation is not listening to the issues that are important to them.

It is critical that as social studies teachers we inform students of the issues and allow for them to make informed decisions on how they would vote so that they can become active citizens and so they can engage in debate over critical issues. It is important that they question everything and challenge assumptions.

So the question of the day is how do we get students to vote and be involved in the political process?