OK, so who’s voting?
Students feel they have an important stake in election’s outcome
Students talk about their first opportunity to vote in the provincial election.
Many grade 12 students have turned 18 in time for Tuesday’s provincial election, and face their first year of voting eligibility.
For students like Eilish Keaveney, not being able to vote was frustrating. Keaveney grew up in a household where “the news was always turned on,” and she’s always felt the voting age should be 16.
“Just because politicians influence our lives from such early ages,” she said. “In high school, I remember being angry that I couldn’t do anything in the last election. I was being affected by it.”
Others, such as Haley Eagles, are optimistic about finally getting to have a say in the workings of their community.
“It’s not necessarily something I’ve been looking forward to,” says Eagles of having the vote. “I’m just interested in hearing the politicians’ pitches and deciding what the best thing to vote for would be.”
Madelyn Isenor-Ryan is already registered to vote. She stressed the importance of her vote in representing a younger voting class. Isenor-Ryan says she feels it’s a good thing if younger people vote, so the generation’s voice is heard.
These students are focused on what the election could bring with respect to the education system. Grade 12 students went through the uncertainty of work-to-rule, during the teachers’ labour dispute with the government.
Keaveney says education and the right to negotiate are important to her. She feels the Liberal government didn’t have much regard for how students felt during work-to-rule. The labour dispute cut off students’ contact with teachers, halted extra-curricular activities, and put a great deal of stress on students.
“I go to school, it’s important to me,” said Isenor-Ryan. “I want it to be a good experience, and work-to-rule wasn’t a good time. It would be good if it didn’t happen again.”
Many young adults will be pursuing post-secondary education, and Eagles is one of them. She plans to attend Saint Mary’s University in the fall. She has prioritized the astounding tuition fees university students face heading into the election.
“Tuition is very high, and as a student going into my first year of university next year, I’m really scared,” Eagles said.
University students can face fees of $20,000 in their first year alone. Eagles feels tuition fees are more of a national issue than a provincial one, but hopes something can be done for Nova Scotia students.
Eagles hasn’t followed elections in the past, knowing she couldn’t vote, but she’s looked forward to following this one and having her say.
Others might disagree, but Keaveney believes you can make a difference.
“Some elections are very close, and I think that it’s ridiculous to say that your vote doesn’t count and you’re not going to bother voting.”