Y Vote Mock Elections
Over one million young people have been given their first taste of elections since the launch of www.mockelections.co.uk in 2003
Building on the Hansard Society’s 50 year experience of running mock elections, www.mockelections.co.uk provides all of the ballot papers, campaign guidance, rosette templates and other material schools need to organise an exciting election event.
Students get into the campaigning spirit by canvassing support, running as candidates, creating manifestos, building ballot boxes, designing campaign posters and casting their first votes on the day. Mock elections give students a first hand insight into how voting and the democratic process work. Teachers receive a comprehensive resource pack containing a step-by-step guide to running the elections.
The Y Vote Mock Election pack – downloadable at www.mockelections.co.uk – gives teachers step-by-step guidance and can be interpreted according to the level of students’ understanding of the political process.
Teachers should register online to take part in the Y Vote Mock Elections, and will receive extra election resources. Results are posted at www.mockelections.co.uk following the elections.
Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families:
"I am very glad to give the support of the Department for Children, School and Families to the Mock Elections website. I congratulate the project for having involved 800,000 students at the time of the 2005 general election and 100,000 students in the Y-Vote Mock Election in 2006.
We are encouraged that young people continue to engage in the political, social and moral issues surrounding an election, through the Y-Vote Mock Election.
The website shows how schools might organise mock elections so that pupils can experience some of the excitement of an election and get a real taste for active democracy. It demonstrates how, in the process, young people can develop skills like team working, communication and the ability to debate and discuss current issues.
I hope that young people continue to participate and I’m sure they will thoroughly enjoy the experience."
For further information contact: Shez Sutton on 020 7438 1221 or email citizenship@hansard.ac.uk