Does Voting

Matter?
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Learning Goals For
Today’s Lesson
1. Think critically about how voting
can affect individuals and society.
2. Assessing the consequences of
voting decisions on individuals
and communities.
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 “
Does Voting Matter?

What do I care about?

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Raise your hand if you care…

If the government changes the

rules about immigration to
Canada?

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Raise your hand if you care…

If the government makes it more

difficult for seniors to receive the
Old Age Security Pension?

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Raise your hand if you care…

If the government places penalties

on business’ that contribute to
climate change.

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Raise your hand if you care…

If the government joins a military

alliance that could lead to war.

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Raise your hand if you care…

If the government changes prison

terms for serious crimes?

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Raise your hand if you care…

If the government removes coins

as a method of payment for items.

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Raise your hand if you care…

If the government negotiates new

agreements with Indigenous
peoples.

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The government of Canada makes
decisions about all of these
matters through our elected
members of Parliament.

Whether we realize it or not,

choose to vote or not, many parts
of our lives are affected by the
decisions of these lawmakers.

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Class Poll: Does Voting Matter to you?

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Class Activity: Voting Stimulation

We will be electing a new class

Prime Minister today!

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 “
Candidates for each party will now
read a prepared speech to the class.

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 “
The Captain’s Party Speech

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 “
The Dinosaur’s Party Speech

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 “
The Wizard’s Party Speech

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 “
The Zombie’s Party Speech

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Round One: The Free Vote

Each candidate will stand at four

different corners of the room.

Every student in the class has the

opportunity to vote for their party they
support by walking to the candidate.

If you chose NOT to vote, stay seated.

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Results: The Free Vote

Every student in the class must do the

activity of the winning candidates party
platform.

How did the outcome of the vote affect

you?

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Round Two: Low Voter Turnout

Only five students are allowed to vote. If

you are not selected then you must
remain seated.

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Results: Low Voter Turnout

Every student in the class must do the

activity of the winning candidates party
platform.

For Voters: How did your vote affect the

election?

For non-Voters: How did you feel about

not being able to participate?
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Round Three: 50% Turnout

Half the students in the class are

allowed to vote.

If you were not selected you must

remain seated.

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Results: 50% Turnout

Everyone must do the activity of the

winning candidates party platform.

How did the outcome of this vote

compare to the outcome of the other
two previous votes?

How might the outcome have been

different if the other half of the class
voted? 24
Round Four: Secret Ballot

Mark your ballot in secret.

All students are allowed to vote if they

chose to.

If you vote for more than one party your

vote will not be counted.

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Results: Secret Ballot

Every student in the class must do the

activity of the winning candidates party
platform.
(1) How was the outcome of this vote the
same or different compared to the
outcome of the first vote?
(2) Did you vote differently knowing that
your ballot was a secret? Why or why
not?
(3) Does voting matter?
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Impact on real life

◎ Voting or not voting can affect

the outcome of an election.
◎ In real life the decisions made
by elected officials affect the
lives of millions of people
whether they voted or not.

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Does Voting Matter?
Marie-Claire’s Story

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Does Voting Matter?
Marcie’s Story

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Class Poll: Does Voting Matter to you?

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Class Poll

1. What do you notice about your

poll?
2. What do you wonder about?
3. Did your opinion on voting
change?

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