RANKIN INLET - The voters of tomorrow had their say during a special Student Vote parallel election held across Canada this past week.

Grade 9A student Lukisha Tatty prepares the ballots for Student Vote day at Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Student Vote is a non-profit, non-partisan organization aiming to build the capacity and commitment of young Canadians to participate in their democracy.

The program combines in-class learning, family dialogue and media consumption with an authentic voting experience.

The exercise provides students with an opportunity to experience the democratic process firsthand, and to practice the habits of informed and engaged citizenship.

Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik (MUI) in Rankin Inlet was among the 4,000 schools across Canada to take part in Student Vote.

The Rankin students cast their ballots for the same candidates who ran in Nunavut: Tory incumbent Leona Aglukkaq, Jack Hicks of the NDP, Paul Okalik of the Liberal party and Scott MacCallum of the Green party.

When the ballots were tallied, Aglukkaq had 81 votes, Hicks 40, Okalik 25 and MacCallum 15.

MUI teacher Jordan Simms said the mock election was as realistic as possible, using the same ballots, ballot boxes, ballot booths and rules as a regular election.

He said the data will be collected and analyzed to see what trends emerge.

"Among the things looked at are how many students came out to vote, what parties they voted for and what issues they found to be important," said Simms.

"It was really a neat exercise to be involved with."

Simms said Student Vote includes lesson plans to prepare students for voting day.

He said they were also directed to a number of websites where they could pick an issue such as food, education, families or defence.

"Once they picked a topic, the website would show what each party would do to address that issue.

"We also held a number of discussions in my class on the political parties, their history and core beliefs.

"So, every student had a chance to be informed and to vote for the candidate of their choice.

"The students in the Grade 9A class who ran the vote really took the rules and the exercise quite seriously."

Grade 7 student Connor Faulkner said he really enjoyed taking part in Student Vote.

He said it was a good way for students to share their opinions, and he'd like to see more programs like it.

"Taking part in this had me looking at politics a little bit more," said Faulkner.

"I could see the different parties are up for trying to do different things for the country.

"I liked the Conservatives before the program, and after, so it didn't change my opinion.

"There was nothing about the other parties that impressed me, and I think Stephen Harper is the best choice for prime minister."

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