Voters in training
Summary
Voters in training is a voter education program that lets young people experience the excitement of an election simulation.
In this section
The Voters in training program will be back for the next provincial general election.
Simulate to discover and experience democracy
With Voters in training, it’s easy to engage in democracy education in an original and dynamic way! Young people enjoy a unique, hands-on experience of democracy.
During election simulations, young people can vote for the candidates running in their electoral division or municipality. They can also take part in learning activities to learn more about voting and civic engagement. These activities provide opportunities to make references to the Programme de formation de l’école québécoise.
Schools and organizations registered may also take part in the “Take the Voters in training challenge” contest (in French) to have the chance to win one of the $500 prizes.
Voters in training is offered free of charge throughout Québec.
Who is it for?
- Third-cycle elementary school students
- Secondary school students in general or vocational training
- Youth clienteles of various organizations
The election simulation process
- Teaching staff and organization representatives can register for the Voters in training program by completing an online form (in French).
- Learning activities prepare participating young people for the voting process.
- Registered schools receive all required election materials (ballot boxes, polling booths, ballot papers).
- Election simulations are held a few days before the real elections.
- The results are posted the day after the election on the Élections Québec website. Young participants can then compare the results of their simulation with those of the real election.
Learning activities
Preparing to vote
Elementary school-aged children
During this activity, voters in training share their views on what democracy is for them.
Duration: 30 minutes
This activity teaches voters in training about the different levels of government (federal, provincial and municipal).
Duration: 45 minutes
This activity introduces voters in training to various sources of information.
Duration: 60 minutes
This activity helps voters in training reflect on and discuss the importance of learning about different candidates before voting.
Duration: 45 minutes
Secondary school-aged children
This activity requires voters in training to reflect on the future of their environment and on the issues that affect them.
Duration: 45 minutes
This activity teaches voters in training about the different levels of government (federal, provincial and municipal) and their respective jurisdictions.
Duration: 60 minutes
During this activity, voters in training become familiar with representative democracy and the vocabulary associated with provincial elections.
Duration: 30 minutes
This activity introduces voters in training to various sources of information.
Duration: 60 minutes
In this activity, the voters in training question the right to vote of young people aged 18 to 35 as a means of expressing their views in a democratic society.
Duration: 60 minutes
Conducting an election simulation
Elementary school-aged children
This activity helps voters in training understand that there are multiple forms of involvement.
Duration: 45 minutes
Elementary and secondary school-aged children
This activity introduces voters in training to polling station operations and to the roles of different election officers.
Duration: 60 minutes
After conducting the poll, voters in training analyze the results of the election simulation and compare them to those of the real election.
Duration: 20 minutes
This activity introduces voters in training to different forms of involvement, and includes a questionnaire to discover their engagement profile.
Duration: 60 minutes