Over 8,000 school students across Auckland will lead the way for the future of computer voting at the 2013 local body elections.
A total of 45 schools have registered pupils from years 7-10 to take part in Auckland Council’s Kids Voting programme – the only one of its kind in New Zealand and the first to take place online.
Although their vote will not officially count, the youngsters will get a taste of democracy in action between 23-27 September when they log on to choose a Mayor, Councillors and Local Board members.
In the run up to the election, students are being encouraged to discuss the issues and candidates with friends and family to develop an understanding of why they should participate in the voting process – nationally and locally – once they turn 18.
But Kids Voting has taken on extra significance this year with the news that the Government is set to trial full online voting at the 2016 elections.
“We are delighted that so many Auckland students are engaging with the Kids Voting programme,” says Auckland Council community development project leader, Jan Ziegler-Peri.
“But it’s equally exciting to know that by taking part they will be a step ahead in terms of finding out how online voting works and how easy it is to use.
“Hopefully, we will see the benefit of that by capturing many of them as fully-fledged young voters in future.”