Kamsack and Norquay students are among nearly 20,000 elementary and high school students under the voting age who cast ballots for the provincial election in the Student Vote program for the 2016 Saskatchewan provincial election.
The vote was actually taken on March 24, prior to the school’s Easter break. The results were forwarded to a provincial collection where they were reported the day of the actual election on April 4. Provincially, 19,758 ballots were reported from 273 schools, representing all 61 constituencies in the province.
In the vote held by Grade 8 students at the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute, Ryan Lambert, the teacher involved, said that it had been “a low turnout.”
Theresa Wilson of the New Democratic Party topped the poll with nine votes; Rachel Gregoire of the Green Party received four votes; Kyle Budz of the Liberal Party received three votes; Terry Dennis of the Saskatchewan Party received two votes; Merv Malish of the Progressive Conservative Party received one vote, and there were no votes for David Sawkiw of the Western Independence Party.
At the Norquay School, where 72 students from grades 4 to 12 voted, Dennis received 45 votes; Wilson, 15; Budz, five, and Sawkiw, one, according to Jeannette Ebert who conducted the poll. No votes were cast for Malish, and six ballots were spoiled.
After learning about the democratic process, researching the candidates and party platforms, and debating the future of Saskatchewan, students cast ballots for the official candidates running in their local constituencies. Participating schools received free learning materials and election supplies which was made possible by Elections Saskatchewan.
The election night results from the actual April 4 election shows: Terry Dennis, 4,249; Theresa Wilson, 1,297; Merv Malish, 411; Rachel Gregoire, 188; and David Sawkiw, 51.
Provincially, the Saskatchewan Party won 51 seats and the NDP won 10.
The following results are based on the Student Votes. The Saskatchewan Party won a majority government with 48 seats and the NDP will form the official opposition with 13 seats.
There were many close races in the province, with 15 constituencies decided by 25 votes or fewer. Students elected Brad Wall and the Saskatchewan Party to a majority government with 48 seats and 53.4 per cent of the vote. Party leader Brad Wall easily won in his constituency of Swift Current with 84.1 per cent of the vote. The NDP won 13 seats and will form the Student Vote official opposition, receiving 22.7 per cent of the popular vote. Party leader Cam Broten was defeated in Saskatoon Westview. The Green Party received 11.0 per cent of the vote, but did not win a seat. Party leader Victor Lau was not elected in his constituency of Regina Douglas Park. The Saskatchewan Liberal Party took 10.8 per cent of the vote, but did not win a seat. Party leader Darrin Lamoureux did not win in his constituency of Regina Pasqua.
“Student Vote is a wonderful program that not only educates our future voters, but it spurs discussions that students have with their families and other voters about democracy and elections,” says Dr. Michael Boda, Chief Electoral Officer of Saskatchewan. “This partnership between Elections Saskatchewan and CIVIX benefits students around the province by instilling in them an interest and intention to participate in future elections as voters, candidates and election workers.”
“We would like to thank all of the dedicated teachers that have made civic education a priority and added democracy to the curriculum,” said Taylor Gunn, President and Chief Election Officer of CIVIX. “Not only has Student Vote been proven to increase political knowledge and interest among students, and enhance their civic duty, it also fosters political discussion at home and family engagement in the election.”
