The environment, equality and homelessness were some of the hot topics on the minds of students at Spencer Middle School as they pondered who to vote for in the B.C. provincial election.

As part of the Student Vote program, organized by CIVIX, over 400 students at Spencer Middle, as well as young voters in schools across the Langford-Highlands riding, went to the polls on Thursday (Oct. 17).

At the ballot box, students had to chose between Erin Cassels of the B.C. Green Party, B.C. Conservative Mike Harris and Ravi Parmar of the B.C. NDP.

B次元官网网址淭o me the NDPs look the best compared to my lifestyle,B次元官网网址� said 13-year-old Akaash Purewal, who wore orange to represent his support of the B.C. NDP.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important to vote just so the wrong person doesn't get elected,B次元官网网址� added the Grade 8 student. B次元官网网址淪o you can have change once in a while, because if nobody voted, it would just stay the same.B次元官网网址�

For 11-year-old Adriette Smith, her vote for the B.C. NDP was a show of support for diversity and equality.

B次元官网网址淓verybody who is different, whether they are gay or lesbian, they should be allowed to be the true them,B次元官网网址� said the Grade 6 student. 

Helping people affected by homelessness was also another reason why Smith felt her vote should go to Ravi Parmar, a person she described as someone who is an inspiration to others.

B次元官网网址淭hey should get help with money or finding a proper home,B次元官网网址� said Smith. B次元官网网址淥r at least getting a chance to get a job so they can actually get a house and get money.B次元官网网址�

Climate change influenced 11-year-old Liam QuinnB次元官网网址檚 vote, who backed Erin Cassels of the B.C. Green Party.

B次元官网网址淚 felt like the Green Party, the stuff that they were going to do about the environment, inflation and climate change B次元官网网址� I agreed with most of it,B次元官网网址� said the Grade 7 student.

As well as voting, the Student Vote program also teaches students under voting age about government, the electoral process and guides them to research the 2024 provincial elections parties and candidates.

B次元官网网址淭he voting numbers for young adults are significantly lower than people in their forties and up to senior citizens,B次元官网网址� said Nathan Ambrose, a teacher at Spencer Middle School.

B次元官网网址淭his program gives students an opportunity to experience the voting process, helping them to know what to expect about politics B次元官网网址� so when they become adults, they're actually able to engage and want to be part of our democracy.B次元官网网址�

The results of the Student Vote are expected on Saturday, Oct. 19, alongside the results of the B.C. provincial election.