Our Government Our Election

Objective
Students will learn that voting is a democratic right and consider if it is a democratic responsibility.

Procedure
1. As a class, brainstorm reasons why it is important to vote.

2. Bridge class discussion into reading of Considering Voter Turnout.
KEY QUESTIONS

• Is mandatory voting a good idea? Why or why not?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of having voters physically cast a paper ballot? What about online voting?

3. To introduce how to participate in the voting process without casting a ballot for a candidate, read Declined Ballots. Reviewing Lesson 2.6: Citizen Participation will be useful for Question 1 of this handout.

4. For consideration about building voter turnout, read Considering a Lower Voting Age?

FURTHER EXPLORATION
5. To learn about the granting of Indigenous people with the right to vote in federal elections, and the resistance many Indigenous people had to this right, check out the case study Indigenous People and the Right to Vote in Lesson One of Democracy and the Rule of Law.

6. CBC has a discussion with panellists who believe
that the voting age should be lowered.

7. Elections Canada has a useful comprehensive guide to A History of the Vote in Canada.

8. Elections Saskatchewan has information for how people who have just turned 18 can register to vote.